Sticky post

Bobby Ross Jr. honored as 2025 Diamond Journalist of the Year

The regional award celebrates outstanding journalism in Arkansas and six neighboring states. By Bobby Ross Jr. I was honored to win the 2025 Diamond Journalist of the Year award from the Arkansas professional chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. The regional Diamond Journalism Awards celebrate outstanding journalism in Arkansas and six neighboring states, including Oklahoma, where The Christian Chronicle is based. Winners were announced … Continue reading Bobby Ross Jr. honored as 2025 Diamond Journalist of the Year

Ukrainian refugees prepare a special Thanksgiving feast to show gratitude to Texas Christians

A Houston church’s thriving outreach to families fleeing the war inspires a heartfelt holiday gesture. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle HOUSTON —A year ago, Memorial Church of Christ volunteers served Ukrainian refugee families a traditional Thanksgiving meal from Pappas Bar-B-Q, a popular Houston restaurant chain. But this November, the newcomers to Texas — still adapting and learning a new language after fleeing Russia’s 1,000-day war on their homeland … Continue reading Ukrainian refugees prepare a special Thanksgiving feast to show gratitude to Texas Christians

Religion News Association honors Bobby Ross Jr. with Supple Award for Feature Writing

The Awards for Excellence in Religion Reporting showcase outstanding journalism across all media. From The Christian Chronicle: PITTSBURGH — Bobby Ross Jr., editor-in-chief of The Christian Chronicle, received the nation’s top award for religion feature writing at a ceremony Saturday night at the Andy Warhol Museum. The Religion News Association presented Ross with the Supple Award for Feature Writing during its 75th anniversary convention in Pittsburgh. Jodi Rudoren, editor-in-chief of The Forward, a leading … Continue reading Religion News Association honors Bobby Ross Jr. with Supple Award for Feature Writing

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

For newly arrived refugees, an unexpected Christmas blessing

Caring hearts welcome Ukrainian family to America with food, furniture and friendship. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle It’s a Christmas miracle. In an incredible set of circumstances, God made a wonderful thing happen for a Ukrainian refugee family this busy holiday week. “This is how God works, whether we realize it or not,” said my good friend David Duncan, minister for the Memorial Church of … Continue reading For newly arrived refugees, an unexpected Christmas blessing

They were the foreigners

Brazil experience shapes former missionaries’ outreach to refugees and immigrants. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle OKLAHOMA CITY — In the late 1980s, as four buddies neared graduation from Oklahoma Christian University, they talked about moving around the globe.  Their hearts told them what they needed to do: Tell the story of Jesus Christ. God, they said, showed them where: a South American city where nearly half the … Continue reading They were the foreigners

Sharing love — and Christ — with refugees

Since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan two years ago, an Oklahoma church has worked to serve its new neighbors. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle OKLAHOMA CITY — The chaos at the end of a long war. The frenzy to leave a troubled homeland. The challenge of a new and different culture. Hong Kluver identifies closely with the Afghan refugees she has worked so hard to … Continue reading Sharing love — and Christ — with refugees

How a grassroots ministry to Afghan refugees ‘snowballed’ into something big

A Texas church’s outreach started with one Christian couple compelled to ‘do something.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle AN ANTONIO — Dan and Mary Huber were stuffed. They couldn’t eat any more.  Or so they told their friends — an Afghan refugee family who fled their war-torn native land two years ago. “There’s no room,” Mary explained, patting her stomach. The children, who understand English better than … Continue reading How a grassroots ministry to Afghan refugees ‘snowballed’ into something big

How a Russian immigrant came to serve Ukrainian refugees

A Houston church develops a thriving outreach to families fleeing the war. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle HOUSTON — On a blue-sky afternoon in this diverse Texas metropolis, about 50 Ukrainian refugees enjoy pizza, cupcakes and fellowship at the Memorial Church of Christ. All of the families seem to know Julia, a friendly woman with an engaging smile, a long blond braid that trails over her shoulder and a … Continue reading How a Russian immigrant came to serve Ukrainian refugees