For Churches of Christ, the invitation has a long history — but not all embrace the tradition. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. — Softly and tenderly, Jesus called this sinner home. On March 13, 1977, I made my way to the front of the church and asked to be baptized. I was 9 years old. I don’t recall the exact invitation song … Continue reading ‘O Why Not Tonight?’
We strive — with a lot of prayer — to cover real news in a manner that honors God. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Iknow a little about Churches of Christ. I was two weeks old when I first attended. Except for the crazy COVID-19 period, I’ve spent most every Lord’s Day in the pews. Related: Christian journalism means truth-seeking In two decades with The Christian Chronicle, I’ve reported … Continue reading Reporting on controversies
Numerical and financial struggles led a Nashville-area church ‘to be proactive.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle HERMITAGE, TENN. — The New Garden Church is not a traditional Church of Christ. Then again, it’s not trying to be. The church plant — which grew out of the Hermitage Church of Christ, a half-century-old congregation that closed in 2018 — seeks to reach a new generation with the Gospel. … Continue reading Why a Tennessee congregation sold its building and moved into a school
Oklahoma’s superintendent of public instruction ignites a national furor with a mandate requiring a Bible in every classroom. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle OKLAHOMA CITY — Ryan Walters wasn’t always known as Oklahoma’s culture-warrior-in-chief. Neither was the 39-year-old Republican always a high-profile MAGA champion, denouncing liberal indoctrination; illegal immigration; LGBTQ-themed school library books; diversity, equity and inclusion programs; and the “Woke Olympics.” Decades before winning election as Oklahoma’s top education official in 2022 — and before igniting … Continue reading Culture warrior, MAGA champion, Church of Christ member: Who is Ryan Walters?
By Bobby Ross Jr. I was honored to receive two first-place prizes and be recognized as a finalist for Journalist of the Year in the 2024 Diamond Journalism Awards. The regional contest, sponsored by the Arkansas pro chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, celebrates journalistic excellence in Arkansas and six neighboring states. Winners were announced at an awards ceremony Wednesday night in Little Rock. … Continue reading Bobby Ross Jr. wins two first-place prizes in regional Diamond Journalism Awards
Church leaders seek peace and healing in an ‘eye for an eye world.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle The morning after a gunman perched atop a roof narrowly missed killing former President Donald Trump, Christians across the U.S. came together Sunday — as always — to worship God and pray. About 270 miles southeast of the Pennsylvania farm show grounds where shots rang out at Trump’s … Continue reading Christians pray for Trump — and the divided nation — after assassination attempt
Twice a week, Texas church meets neighbors in its parking lot. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle FORT WORTH, TEXAS — “Free Bread.” “Free Bibles.” The simple messages catch the attention of motorists passing the Bridgewood Church of Christ — at a busy corner just off the East Loop 820 thoroughfare. “Is it really free?’” people ask. “It’s free,” church member Booker Williams assures them. “It’s like salvation. You’ve just got … Continue reading Bread and Bibles lead souls to Jesus
Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Christian missionary Leslie Taylor preaches in English and Japanese each Sunday at a bilingual church in the Tokyo area. A military brat who spent time as a … Continue reading 🤖 High-tech translator: AI helps missionaries share faith in more languages 🔌
Ethan Bilbrey’s name keeps showing up in stories. But why? By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle RICHFIELD, Minn. — Nebraska. Tennessee. Minnesota. I keep running into Ethan Bilbrey … and I keep quoting him in The Christian Chronicle. The funny thing is, I had never met him — or even heard of him — until three months ago. Scott Laird, a longtime Montana minister who serves … Continue reading Meet the suddenly most quotable minister in Minnesota
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 