🤣 A preacher and a stand-up comedian walk into a Christian youth conference … 🔌

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 FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Hoss Ridgeway flashed a mischievous smile as he stepped onstage at a Christian youth conference. An urgent tone to his voice, the 6-foot-4 speaker … Continue reading 🤣 A preacher and a stand-up comedian walk into a Christian youth conference … 🔌

🇺🇸 God and Trump: 5 revealing quotes from inaugural week 🔌

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 God figured prominently — and personally — in President Donald Trump’s second inaugural address. In fact, Trump mentioned God four times in Monday’s speech — just as he … Continue reading 🇺🇸 God and Trump: 5 revealing quotes from inaugural week 🔌

🐶 Doggone it, but a few readers bark over idea of pets in heaven 🔌

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 Who let the dogs out? Come to think of it, I guess I did. I asked in a recent column — inspired by the adorableness of my … Continue reading 🐶 Doggone it, but a few readers bark over idea of pets in heaven 🔌

🇺🇸 ‘Good and faithful servant’: 7 religion takeaways from Jimmy Carter’s funeral 🔌

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 When Jimmy Carter was inaugurated as America’s 39th president in January 1977, Amy Carter, his only daughter, was a 9-year-old elementary school student. So, coincidentally, was I. As a third … Continue reading 🇺🇸 ‘Good and faithful servant’: 7 religion takeaways from Jimmy Carter’s funeral 🔌

Top 24 of 2024: Bobby Ross Jr.’s best stories of the year

By Bobby Ross Jr. OKLAHOMA CITY — I love what I do. I get paid to travel and tell newsworthy stories. 2024 marked my 35th year in full-time journalism, and I thank God for allowing me to live my dream. A major career highlight: In April, I was honored to receive the Religion News Association’s Supple Award for Feature Writing at its 75th anniversary convention in … Continue reading Top 24 of 2024: Bobby Ross Jr.’s best stories of the year

🏆 Weekend Plug-in year in review: The best religion journalism of 2024 🔌

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 Welcome to a special year-end edition of Weekend Plug-in! I asked some of the nation’s top religion journalists to share their … Continue reading 🏆 Weekend Plug-in year in review: The best religion journalism of 2024 🔌

🚔 Family, faith and a finale: Why fans loved the TV series ‘Blue Bloods’ 🔌

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 For the popular CBS drama “Blue Bloods,” the “End of Tour” — as the final episode is dubbed — promises an emotional farewell. After 14 seasons and nearly 300 episodes, … Continue reading 🚔 Family, faith and a finale: Why fans loved the TV series ‘Blue Bloods’ 🔌

🐶 Will there be hound dogs in heaven? Beliefs differ on furry friends in eternity 🔌

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 OKLAHOMA CITY — I’m not a dog person. At least that’s what I’ve always claimed.  But a few months ago, a basset hound named Frannie came to … Continue reading 🐶 Will there be hound dogs in heaven? Beliefs differ on furry friends in eternity 🔌

🇺🇸 Trump’s comeback: What it means for immigrants, people of faith and the press 🔌

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 Before Election Day, I predicted a long night of vote counting. I was sort of right. When I fell asleep Tuesday — well before midnight — the … Continue reading 🇺🇸 Trump’s comeback: What it means for immigrants, people of faith and the press 🔌