Tag: travel

Christian Chronicle

Small churches find right fit at Equip

Two-day conference at York University brings together leaders from the Midwest, the Plains and the Rocky Mountain states. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle YORK, NEB. — To prepare for a panel discussion on challenges and opportunities facing small-town and rural Churches of Christ, minister Jason Zaiger reached out to more than 20 congregations and individuals in his home state of Iowa. Zaiger, who with … Continue reading Small churches find right fit at Equip

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Religion Unplugged

🌎 Godbeat globetrotting: 5 memorable moments in world religion reporting 🔌

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 MATANZAS, Cuba — I’m not a world traveler. I mean, I’m not a good world traveler. I pack too much. I’m a picky eater. Mostly, I prefer … Continue reading 🌎 Godbeat globetrotting: 5 memorable moments in world religion reporting 🔌

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

No fuel? No food? Amid crisis in Cuba, there’s no shortage of faith

Christians travel by boat, bus, train — and even a cargo truck — to attend a national discipleship gathering. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MATANZAS, Cuba — René Sánchez Blanco sailed eight hours on a ferry from the Isle of Youth to Cuba’s mainland and then spent five hours on buses. Mario and Yani Suárez waited three days in line at a bus station … Continue reading No fuel? No food? Amid crisis in Cuba, there’s no shortage of faith

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion Unplugged

🇨🇺 Feeding bodies and souls: Faith sustains Cuban farmer during time of crisis 🔌

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 LIMONAR, Cuba — It’s a tough time for Christian farmer Jorge Sánchez. A U.S. blockade on oil shipments to this Caribbean island nation has spurred Cuba’s deepening … Continue reading 🇨🇺 Feeding bodies and souls: Faith sustains Cuban farmer during time of crisis 🔌

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

‘Cuban people love the American people’

Minister urges U.S. church members to keep making mission trips to the Caribbean island. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MATANZAS, Cuba — This might seem like a bad time for Americans to visit Cuba. Tony Fernandez thinks it’s the perfect time. The longtime minister for the Versalles Church of Christ — a growing congregation in this provincial capital in west-central Cuba — welcomed a U.S. mission team … Continue reading ‘Cuban people love the American people’

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
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Christian Chronicle, Associated Press, The Ross News, Religion Unplugged

2025 year in review: Bobby Ross Jr.’s most memorable stories and columns

By Bobby Ross Jr. OKLAHOMA CITY — In 2025, I celebrated my 35th anniversary in full-time journalism. The best part: I still love what I do. I serve as editor-in-chief of The Christian Chronicle and write the Weekend Plug-in column for Religion Unplugged. Besides my regular work, I freelanced in 2025 for The Associated Press and the Washington Post. This fall I flew 5,000 miles to … Continue reading 2025 year in review: Bobby Ross Jr.’s most memorable stories and columns

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Christian Chronicle

A dream for Christian higher education in Europe

Jerry and Zoobi Jones have big plans for an old convent school in France. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle LA CHAPELLE AU RIBOUL, France — When nuns listed a vacant Catholic girls’ school for sale in this sleepy French village in 2017, American Jerry Jones saw an opportunity to expand Christian influence and higher education in Europe. But his British wife, Zoobi Jones, gave … Continue reading A dream for Christian higher education in Europe

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Christian Chronicle

Roadblocks and roller bags

Behind the scenes of a memorable reporting trip to France. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CHARTRES, France — It’s 4:45 a.m. It’s still dark outside in this medieval French city, famous for its Gothic cathedral. In fact, I’m exploring the sidewalks around the cathedral right now. As I do so, I’m rolling a 50-pound suitcase and toting a lighter computer bag. Faith in France: Read all the … Continue reading Roadblocks and roller bags

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Christian Chronicle

‘Shabby chic’ French castle welcomes missionaries for rest and restoration

Ministry started by a grandmother combats burnout on the mission field. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle PARIS — Sherry Pogue bought a castle to serve the Lord. It’s a small castle, the American Christian emphasizes. In 2016, Pogue and her late husband, Alan, acquired the 6,000-square-foot Château Claire Fontaine — with four levels and 12 bedrooms — to launch the Restored & Renewed Ministry. Château is the … Continue reading ‘Shabby chic’ French castle welcomes missionaries for rest and restoration

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