Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists honors Bobby Ross Jr. with five awards
LAWTON, Okla. — I’ve been blessed to win a number of awards from the Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists over the last 30 years. In 2021, I was surprised to win the first-place prize for best reporter. This past weekend, I was honored to place in five categories in the 2022 awards, given for work produced last year. The winners were announced in a ceremony … Continue reading Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists honors Bobby Ross Jr. with five awards
ReligionUnplugged.com wins 10 awards in Editor & Publisher’s 2022 Eppy Awards
ReligionUnplugged.com won five first-place honors and five runner-up recognitions in Editor & Publisher’s 2022 Eppy Awards. The online magazine’s awards included best entertainment/cultural news website and best home page design. I write ReligionUnplugged.com’s “Weekend Plug-in” column, featuring analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. My column, published each Friday, is a fixture on the home page. Congrats to executive editor Paul … Continue reading ReligionUnplugged.com wins 10 awards in Editor & Publisher’s 2022 Eppy Awards
In Texas, CEO leads Christian Care Centers through bankruptcy and sale
For a 75-year-old senior living ministry associated with Churches of Christ, COVID-19 problems accelerated financial difficulties. By Bobby Ross Jr. and Natalie Walters | The Christian Chronicle MESQUITE, Texas — In telling her life story, Sabrina Porter starts with her troubled childhood. She recounts the sexual abuse she endured from age 4 until she turned 11. “I didn’t know God,” she said. “I grew up in a … Continue reading In Texas, CEO leads Christian Care Centers through bankruptcy and sale
Big week in religion news: From Loretta Lynn to Aaron Judge, 9 names to know
By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged 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. A country music queen. A home run king. A former White House press secretary. A current U.S. Supreme Court plaintiff. They are among nine key religion … Continue reading Big week in religion news: From Loretta Lynn to Aaron Judge, 9 names to know
Amid crises, rural roots anchor Southern Baptists’ president
By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Associated Press FARMERSVILLE, Texas — On the first Saturday of fall, a sweating Bart Barber trekked across a weedy pasture in search of Bully Graham, the would-be patriarch of the rural Baptist pastor’s fledgling cattle herd. With the afternoon temperature in the mid-90s, the 52-year-old Texan found the bull — whose nickname reflects his owner’s deep affection for the late … Continue reading Amid crises, rural roots anchor Southern Baptists’ president
In Georgia county with history of racial violence, Christians seek unity
‘It’s mentally hard for a lot of folks to cross that county line,’ Black minister says. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CUMMING, Ga. — Kelvin Teamer stood on the stage of the Grace Chapel Church of Christ and marveled at the crowd. In this small town about 40 miles northeast of Atlanta, about 600 Christians — Black, White and Hispanic — filled the pews for a … Continue reading In Georgia county with history of racial violence, Christians seek unity
‘Faith-based FEMA’: Relief organizations mobilize to help after Hurricane Ian
By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged 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. Over the years, I’ve covered the faith-based response to a variety of hurricanes. I traveled to New Orleans after Katrina, Houston after Harvey, the Florida Panhandle … Continue reading ‘Faith-based FEMA’: Relief organizations mobilize to help after Hurricane Ian
At 50, TV’s ‘The Waltons’ still stirs fans’ love, nostalgia
By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Associated Press The Rev. Matt Curry’s parents were children of the Great Depression, just like “The Waltons” — the beloved TV family whose prime-time series premiered 50 years ago. When Curry was growing up on a farm in northern Texas, his carpenter father and teacher mother often argued playfully over who had a poorer childhood. “The Depression was the seminal … Continue reading At 50, TV’s ‘The Waltons’ still stirs fans’ love, nostalgia
Pandemic and politics exacerbate challenges facing an Ohio church
The congregation’s experience reflects ‘the emotional tension that seems to be really big in the country as a whole.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MARYSVILLE, Ohio — This one-time farm town about 30 miles northwest of Columbus is booming. The century-old Marysville Church of Christ is not. Even before the pandemic, the congregation in central Ohio struggled to increase its flock, much less match the area’s … Continue reading Pandemic and politics exacerbate challenges facing an Ohio church
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 