Tag: human interest

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Christian Chronicle

‘Oh no, that’s never happening’

Years ago, a South Dakota church broke into two. A reunion seemed highly unlikely. But then leaders started talking — and praying. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Two brothers-in-law. Two ministers of the Gospel. Two split congregations. The story behind the Sioux Falls Church of Christ — a thriving body of believers in southeastern South Dakota, near the Iowa and … Continue reading ‘Oh no, that’s never happening’

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
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Christian Chronicle

How a Michigan church embraces its Muslim neighbors

As an anti-Islam rally ignites controversy, a Detroit-area congregation works to show the love of Jesus. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle DEARBORN, Mich. — An anti-Islam rally promoted as a “Christian Crusader March” drew hundreds of demonstrators and counterdemonstrators to this majority Arab American city of 110,000. A few participants carried assault rifles as police in riot gear patrolled. The Sunday after the … Continue reading How a Michigan church embraces its Muslim neighbors

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
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Religion Unplugged

⚠️ Christianity’s dirty little secret — and how these believers overcame it 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Christianity and pornography don’t mix. Except that they often do — whether believers and church leaders want to talk about it or not. Over half of practicing … Continue reading ⚠️ Christianity’s dirty little secret — and how these believers overcame it 🔌

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
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Religion Unplugged

❤️ We will always love her: How Dolly Parton lived out her personal faith 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Like Jesus taught his followers to do, Dolly Parton loved her neighbors. But what about loving her enemies, another biblical commandment? I’m guessing the entertainment icon, whose … Continue reading ❤️ We will always love her: How Dolly Parton lived out her personal faith 🔌

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
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Christian Chronicle

225 years ago, a revival gave birth to a movement

At Cane Ridge, Barton W. Stone and other ministers put aside confessions and creeds. Instead, they simply preached Christ. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle BOURBON COUNTY, Ky. — By the thousands, the believers came — Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians among them. In covered wagons and carriages, pioneer settlers traveled to the backwoods of Kentucky for a weeklong camp meeting orchestrated by a 28-year-old Presbyterian clergyman … Continue reading 225 years ago, a revival gave birth to a movement

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
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Christian Chronicle

In rural Idaho, BFFs transform a greenhouse into a thriving Christian school

K-12 educational institution ‘committed to showing Christ to children and planting seeds of hope.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle NAPLES, Idaho — An eye-catching sign featuring a Christian school’s Rams mascot greets logging trucks along heavily traveled U.S. 95, about 40 miles south of the Canadian border. Just off the highway, tamarack and ponderosa pine trees dot the landscape as K-12 students gather outside … Continue reading In rural Idaho, BFFs transform a greenhouse into a thriving Christian school

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
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Christian Chronicle, Religion Unplugged

Bobby Ross Jr. honored as 2026 Diamond Journalist of the Year finalist

The regional award celebrates outstanding journalism in Arkansas and six neighboring states. By Bobby Ross Jr. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — I was honored Saturday night as a finalist for the 2026 Diamond Journalist of the Year award from the Arkansas professional chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. I previously won this award in 2025 and was a finalist in 2024. The regional Diamond Journalism Awards … Continue reading Bobby Ross Jr. honored as 2026 Diamond Journalist of the Year finalist

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
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Christian Chronicle

Why two churches came back together after six decades apart

Oklahoma merger reflects a desire to serve as ‘a single, unified body of Christ.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle DURANT, Okla. — Just off U.S. 69/75 beside a Choctaw Travel Plaza billboard, nearly 500 Christians gather in a multipurpose room filled with four-legged cushioned chairs. “You are the melody. You are the harmony. Praise to your name I will bring,” the Durant Church of Christ sings … Continue reading Why two churches came back together after six decades apart

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
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Religion Unplugged

🏥 My friend’s cancer battle: ‘This is going to be one really cool obituary’ 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged OKLAHOMA CITY — It’s a call you never want to receive. “I’ve got cancer,” your loved one says. Not only that, but it’s pancreatic cancer — often a … Continue reading 🏥 My friend’s cancer battle: ‘This is going to be one really cool obituary’ 🔌

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.