🚨 5 takeaways from the shooting at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged We start with five takeaways from Sunday’s shooting at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston. 1. What happened: Genesse Moreno, 36, “allegedly fired an AR-style rifle and … Continue reading 🚨 5 takeaways from the shooting at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church 🔌

🏈 Faith and football: Would Jesus bet on the Super Bowl? 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged The numbers game: “An estimated 67.8 million Americans are expected to bet on Sunday’s Super Bowl, a 35% increase from … Continue reading 🏈 Faith and football: Would Jesus bet on the Super Bowl? 🔌

How covering Pope John Paul II’s 1999 visit to St. Louis changed my journalism career

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged OKLAHOMA CITY — From a young age, I’ve loved Jesus and journalism. I never intended, though, to become a religion reporter. My career trajectory changed 25 years ago when — to my surprise — editors of The Oklahoman assigned me to cover Pope John Paul II’s Jan. 26-27, 1999, visit to St. Louis. At the time, I was a 31-year-old education … Continue reading How covering Pope John Paul II’s 1999 visit to St. Louis changed my journalism career

🐘 Defining the Iowa evangelicals who support Trump: Is going to church a requirement? 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged 2024 voting starts: What will happen Monday in the presidential campaign’s first formal test at the ballot box? “Donald Trump … Continue reading 🐘 Defining the Iowa evangelicals who support Trump: Is going to church a requirement? 🔌

🎊 Happy New Year: What will be the big religion stories in 2024? 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Good morning, Weekend Plug-in readers! Today’s edition marks the launch of Plug-in’s fifth year. If you enjoy it, please encourage … Continue reading 🎊 Happy New Year: What will be the big religion stories in 2024? 🔌

From MLB faith nights to refugee ministries, my Top 10 stories of 2023

By Bobby Ross Jr. I love what I do. I get paid to travel and tell interesting stories. 2023 marked my 34th year in full-time journalism, and I thank God for allowing me to live my dream. This year, I was blessed to report from a dozen states and four countries, including Cuba and Mexico. My stories from Australia and Vanuatu will publish early next year. Related: … Continue reading From MLB faith nights to refugee ministries, my Top 10 stories of 2023

🏆 Weekend Plug-In year in review: The best religion journalism of 2023 🔌

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Good morning, Weekend Plug-in readers! For today’s special year-end edition, I asked some of the nation’s top religion journalists to share their favorite or most important story they produced during 2023. It’s a holiday week, so I didn’t catch up with everybody. But once again this year, I sure appreciate my Godbeat colleagues who responded — more than 60 … Continue reading 🏆 Weekend Plug-In year in review: The best religion journalism of 2023 🔌

🗳️ Ballots are in: Check out the Top 10 religion stories of 2023 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Top 10 stories — times two: The Religion News Association used to do one Top 10 list. Now, it splits the … Continue reading 🗳️ Ballots are in: Check out the Top 10 religion stories of 2023 🔌

Sermons on hate still resonate 60 years after JFK’s assassination

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged DALLAS — Less than a year before the U.S. presidential election, pastors took to their pulpits to decry a culture of hate, extremism and vile politics. “Much of the hate and discord that has been poisoning our nation has been preached in the name of Christ and the church,” the Rev. Charles V. Denman declared. In a different sanctuary, … Continue reading Sermons on hate still resonate 60 years after JFK’s assassination