Bible camp’s bluegrass festival commemorates victims, heroes of 9/11
At 20th anniversary of terrorist attacks, Christians in North Carolina, New York and across U.S. take time to reflect on the lives lost. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MOCKSVILLE, N.C. — Carolina Bible Camp’s all-day bluegrass festival Saturday was a time for pickin’, fellowship and remembrance. Hundreds of bluegrass fans converged on the rustic camp, about 60 miles north of Charlotte, to hear artists such as Scythian, Joe … Continue reading Bible camp’s bluegrass festival commemorates victims, heroes of 9/11
Five Christian Chronicle journalists named finalists for Religion News Association awards
The winners will be announced in a virtual ceremony Oct. 7. (Update) The Religion News Association has named five Christian Chronicle journalists as finalists in the 2021 RNA Awards for Religion Reporting Excellence. The awards recognize top journalism in secular and religious publications. The Chronicle finalists are: • Bobby Ross Jr., Cheryl Mann Bacon, Chellie Ison and Hamil Harris, for the Gerald A. Renner Award for Excellence in Religion Enterprise Reporting. That team covered … Continue reading Five Christian Chronicle journalists named finalists for Religion News Association awards
Emotions high as Tennessee church floods — again
Rural congregation will seek higher ground after experiencing a second major disaster. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle NUNNELLY, Tenn. — A noisy, industrial-strength fan blew in the back as Pinewood Church of Christ members stepped into their makeshift worship facility Sunday. Wooden planks — newly erected with help from 15 volunteers from the Brushy Church of Christ in nearby Centerville — framed the rural congregation’s picnic pavilion. New, maroon “Songs … Continue reading Emotions high as Tennessee church floods — again
Showing Jesus: Christians offer physical, spiritual help after historic flooding
In hard-hit Waverly, Tenn., donations pour in as a church provides shelter to displaced residents. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle WAVERLY, Tenn. — The Waverly Church of Christ’s pews were packed Sunday. But not just with people. Clothing and stuffed animals covered several rows — evidence of the 200-member congregation’s immense effort to help victims of historic flooding. Related: Emotions high as Tennessee church … Continue reading Showing Jesus: Christians offer physical, spiritual help after historic flooding
What the Afghan government’s collapse means for Christians, Muslims, refugees
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. On Oct. 19, 2001, as I drove to a prayer breakfast in the Oklahoma City suburb of Edmond, the radio crackled with news of U.S. special … Continue reading What the Afghan government’s collapse means for Christians, Muslims, refugees
Can America be saved? Yes, say these Christians
Domestic mission effort focuses on reaching lost souls in the U.S. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ROME, Ga. — Julie Trujillo has traveled to Honduras and Peru to help with medical missions. She has flown to Panama to evangelize. The 45-year-old Christian was looking for her next chance to share Jesus in Latin America when she learned about a door-knocking campaign in Rome — … Continue reading Can America be saved? Yes, say these Christians
To vax or not: Religious response is complicated
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. Want to be smart? Avoid simple narratives. That’s especially true on the still-timely subject of religion and the COVID-19 vaccines. For evidence, check out these recent … Continue reading To vax or not: Religious response is complicated
Will Candice McQueen really be the first female president of a Church of Christ university?
Some scholars want to see Meta Chestnutt Sager, a pioneer Oklahoma educator, recognized. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Candice McQueen made history this week as the first woman chosen to lead a university associated with Churches of Christ. Or did she? Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., introduced the former Tennessee education commissioner as its president-elect Thursday. When she succeeds Randy Lowry on Sept. 7, McQueen, 47, … Continue reading Will Candice McQueen really be the first female president of a Church of Christ university?
What’s the difference between a ‘pool pit’ and a pulpit? Twitter has the answers
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. I read the preacher’s words once — and then again — and tried to make sense of them. In a Florida TV station’s report on a … Continue reading What’s the difference between a ‘pool pit’ and a pulpit? Twitter has the answers
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 