Tag: journalism

Oklahoman, Religion Unplugged

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

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Associated Press, Christian Chronicle, Christianity Today, Religion Unplugged

From MLB faith nights to refugee ministries, my Top 10 stories of 2023

By Bobby Ross Jr. I love what I do. I get paid to travel and tell interesting stories. 2023 marked my 34th year in full-time journalism, and I thank God for allowing me to live my dream. This year, I was blessed to report from a dozen states and four countries, including Cuba and Mexico. My stories from Australia and Vanuatu will publish early next year. Related: … Continue reading From MLB faith nights to refugee ministries, my Top 10 stories of 2023

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Religion Unplugged

🏆 Weekend Plug-In year in review: The best religion journalism of 2023 🔌

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Good morning, Weekend Plug-in readers! For today’s special year-end edition, I asked some of the nation’s top religion journalists to share their favorite or most important story they produced during 2023. It’s a holiday week, so I didn’t catch up with everybody. But once again this year, I sure appreciate my Godbeat colleagues who responded — more than 60 … Continue reading 🏆 Weekend Plug-In year in review: The best religion journalism of 2023 🔌

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Associated Press

Bobby Ross Jr. honored with Religion News Association’s top award for news analysis

By Bobby Ross Jr. The Religion News Association presented its 2023 Awards for Excellence in Religion Reporting during a ceremony tonight at Columbia Journalism School in New York City. I was honored to receive first place for Excellence in Religion News Analysis for stories I wrote last year for The Associated Press. This is a category won in previous years by The Washington Post, The … Continue reading Bobby Ross Jr. honored with Religion News Association’s top award for news analysis

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Associated Press, Christian Chronicle, Religion Unplugged

Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists honors Bobby Ross Jr. with eight awards

By Bobby Ross Jr. OKLAHOMA CITY — I’ve been blessed to receive 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 week, I earned eight awards in the 2023 contest, for content published last year: • First place for outstanding profile: “Amid crises, rural roots anchor Southern Baptists’ president” … Continue reading Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists honors Bobby Ross Jr. with eight awards

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Associated Press, Religion Unplugged

Is Nashville the center of the religion news universe? For today, let’s say so

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. Twenty years ago, I moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to work for The Associated Press. I spent less than a year in Music City before transferring to … Continue reading Is Nashville the center of the religion news universe? For today, let’s say so

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The Ross News

I hated how I left a newspaper job in 1993. Three decades later, I got to write a better ending.

By Bobby Ross Jr. EDMOND, Okla. — I interned at the Edmond Evening Sun my senior year at Oklahoma Christian University. That was way back in the Stone Age, circa 1989-1990. The Sun — launched a century earlier in Oklahoma Territory — published Tuesday through Friday afternoons and Sunday mornings. It had a daily circulation of roughly 10,000 (I don’t recall the exact figure). I made … Continue reading I hated how I left a newspaper job in 1993. Three decades later, I got to write a better ending.

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Christian Chronicle

For the eighth time, Associated Church Press recognizes Christian Chronicle as best newspaper

In all, the international publication for Churches of Christ earned nine awards for work published in 2021. For the eighth time since 2009, the Associated Church Press has recognized The Christian Chronicle with its first-place Best in Class award for newspapers. The top prize in the annual “Best of the Church Press” contest was presented in an online ceremony Thursday night. “Nice, professional-looking front pages with clear and powerful headlines,” a … Continue reading For the eighth time, Associated Church Press recognizes Christian Chronicle as best newspaper

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Christian Chronicle

Editorial: Christian journalism means truth-seeking

Sometimes the truth is positive and inspiring. Sometimes the truth is negative and concerning. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle OKLAHOMA CITY — Jerry Mitchell is a Christian and a journalist. To some readers in a hyperpartisan age, that description may sound like an oxymoron. But Mitchell is a devoted follower of Christ. He’s a 1982 graduate of Harding University, a Christian university in Searcy, Ark. He’s … Continue reading Editorial: Christian journalism means truth-seeking

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