🚨 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? 🔌
‘Momma, I can see Jesus’
Matt and Macy Collins launched the Magnolia Foundation to honor their daughter Hattie Jo, who died in a tornado. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Not long before the tornado that claimed her life, 4-year-old Hattie Jo Collins asked a question. The blond bundle of energy was riding in her family’s minivan with her mother, Macy, and baby sister, Lainey Mae, when she posed it. … Continue reading ‘Momma, I can see Jesus’
Trip conjures nostalgia for time spent at Abilene Christian University
Editor travels to West Texas to report on debate over sexual stewardship policy. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ABILENE, Texas — I don’t bleed purple, but I do have fond memories of Abilene Christian University. As best I can remember, I first visited the West Texas campus nearly 40 years ago. The year was 1984. Related: ACU rebuffs the left and the right in reaffirming its sexual … Continue reading Trip conjures nostalgia for time spent at Abilene Christian University
ACU rebuffs the left and the right in reaffirming its sexual stewardship policy
One group petitioned the West Texas university to loosen its stance on same-sex relationships. Another pushed for tougher language. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ABILENE, Texas — For students at Abilene Christian University, the debate over traditional vs. affirming views on same-sex relationships is not purely theological. It’s personal. Whether they support the university’s sexual stewardship policy, which calls for chastity outside of marriage between a man and … Continue reading ACU rebuffs the left and the right in reaffirming its sexual stewardship policy
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
A lover of Jesus and paperbacks: Remembering a faithful Christian
Glynna Hartman, a former church secretary, exuded joy and feistiness. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle OKLAHOMA CITY — Glynna Hartman loved to read. The Bible. Religious books. Paperback romance novels. It’s that last one that drew so many chuckles at her memorial service Friday night at the Wilshire Church of Christ, the faithful Christian’s home congregation in Oklahoma City. As her son, David Hartman, recalls, she’d … Continue reading A lover of Jesus and paperbacks: Remembering a faithful Christian
No phones allowed, but machetes OK: Global program aims to build teens’ faith
Immersive learning experience on a South Pacific island stretches Australian ninth graders physically and spiritually. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle PORT VILA, Vanuatu — The journey begins 1,200 miles — and a world — away. Ninth graders at an affluent Christian school in Australia leave their smartphones at home and fly to this developing island nation in the South Pacific. Students cram in the … Continue reading No phones allowed, but machetes OK: Global program aims to build teens’ faith
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 