Ransom demands and prayers: The kidnapping of a mission group in Haiti
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. As a journalist who covers religion, I’ve been blessed to report firsthand from countries such as Israel, Mexico, Nicaragua and South Africa. As a result, when … Continue reading Ransom demands and prayers: The kidnapping of a mission group in Haiti
Picket signs, honking horns and sidewalk sermons: Inside an anti-abortion ministry
Michigan church members say the Gospel, not politics, motivates them to gather at clinics and urge women not to end pregnancies. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A bullhorn amplified Conner Westerby’s words as he stood on a public sidewalk and tried to gain the attention of a woman entering a clinic about 75 feet away. Westerby, a 24-year-old Christian … Continue reading Picket signs, honking horns and sidewalk sermons: Inside an anti-abortion ministry
All in the family: baseball and Jesus
For Faulkner coach and his wife, love for ‘adoption’ extends from their home to the team’s players. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Patrick and Katie Beth McCarthy’s oldest son, Miller, once told a reporter his family lived at the ballpark. “We just go spend the night at our house sometimes,” he quipped. Baseball is extremely important to the McCarthys. Patrick is the head coach … Continue reading All in the family: baseball and Jesus
Bobby Ross Jr. wins RNA Award for Religion Reporting Excellence
For the second year in a row, the Religion News Association’s national awards were presented in virtual fashion Thursday night because of the COVID-19 pandemic. I was honored to receive third place for reporting at magazines and non-daily newspapers. Emma Green of The Atlantic won first place, while John Beck of Moment Magazine earned second place. “The judges praise Ross for writing with both authority and compassion,” RNA … Continue reading Bobby Ross Jr. wins RNA Award for Religion Reporting Excellence
#BeLikeBo: Harding University unveils memorial honoring slain graduate
Dedication ceremony pays tribute to Botham Shem Jean, a faithful Christian who died tragically in 2018. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle SEARCY, Ark. — Future generations of Harding University students will learn to “Be Like Bo.” The university, which is associated with Churches of Christ, made sure of that with this week’s dedication of a memorial honoring the late Botham Shem Jean. On Wednesday — the day … Continue reading #BeLikeBo: Harding University unveils memorial honoring slain graduate
As COVID-19 vaccine war rages, focus on religious exemptions grows
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. Back in March, I wrote a column about the joy and hope the COVID-19 vaccines had brought my family after more than a year of pandemic … Continue reading As COVID-19 vaccine war rages, focus on religious exemptions grows
At 20th anniversary of 9/11, faith remains a big part of the story
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. Like everybody alive then, I remember what I was doing the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. At the time, I was religion editor for The Oklahoman, the metro … Continue reading At 20th anniversary of 9/11, faith remains a big part of the story
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
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 