‘God will provide’: Preacher loses house in Texas wildfire

‘You can replace things, but lives and souls — you can’t replace those,’ Shawn Davis says. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CANADIAN, Texas — The sun came up on the Sunday morning after the fire. “More importantly, the Son arose,” said Shawn Davis, who snapped a  photograph of the orange rays lighting up the scorched prairie. “Hope prevails!” The 55-year-old oil field worker … Continue reading ‘God will provide’: Preacher loses house in Texas wildfire

‘It’s not the amount … it’s the heart’

Why did a Houston church give $50,000 to help Texas Panhandle wildfire victims — 600 miles away? Well, that’s an interesting story. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CANADIAN, Texas — Nearly 600 miles separate this small town in the Texas Panhandle from the vast metropolis of Houston in the southeast part of the Lone Star State. The 800 members of the Memorial Church of Christ in Houston … Continue reading ‘It’s not the amount … it’s the heart’

🧪 Faith and frozen embryos: Alabama’s IVF ruling stirs religious debate 🔌

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 Does God oppose in vitro fertilization?: Religions hold differing views, according to the Washington Post’s Michelle Boorstein: In an Alabama Supreme Court ruling equating IVF embryos … Continue reading 🧪 Faith and frozen embryos: Alabama’s IVF ruling stirs religious debate 🔌

Church members’ homes destroyed in Texas Panhandle wildfire

At least a half-dozen families who attend Churches of Christ must rebuild after the largest blaze in Texas history. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Multiple members of Churches of Christ have lost homes in the Texas Panhandle wildfire, which has grown into the largest in state history. The blaze destroyed the residences of three families who attend the Canadian Church of Christ, about 100 miles northeast … Continue reading Church members’ homes destroyed in Texas Panhandle wildfire

🐘 Left wants ‘to tear down crosses’: Trump talks to National Religious Broadcasters 🔌

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! Is Nashville, Tennessee, the center of the religion news universe? We’ve asked that before. It’s maybe an appropriate question again this … Continue reading 🐘 Left wants ‘to tear down crosses’: Trump talks to National Religious Broadcasters 🔌

Christians cheer the Chiefs, fight the violence

Mass shooting at Super Bowl victory rally highlights the challenge facing Kansas City. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Even before last week’s mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory rally, Branden Mims was focused on reducing violence in this city that mourned a record 182 homicides in 2023. Mims, the 35-year-old senior minister for the Greater Metropolitan Church of Christ, leads a faith-based … Continue reading Christians cheer the Chiefs, fight the violence

🚨 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 🔌

A new Sunday night tradition

Tennessee church launches a small-group ministry ‘to grow our people and reach the community.’ It’s just one of many congregations trying a different approach. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle DICKSON, Tenn. — An NFL game played on the TV as about a dozen people arrived at Chris and Libby McCurley’s house on a recent Sunday night. The casually attired guests chatted for a few … Continue reading A new Sunday night tradition

🏈 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? 🔌