Sticky post

In secular France, Christians work to bring new life to old monastery

Missionary characterizes $1.9 million purchase as ‘a miraculous act of God.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MARSEILLE, France — At the northern edge of this seaside port city —  first settled by Greek sailors 2,600 years ago — stands the abandoned Betheline monastery. It’s just one of thousands of decaying religious structures scattered throughout France. In a society once dominated by Catholicism, people increasingly profess no faith affiliation at … Continue reading In secular France, Christians work to bring new life to old monastery

Sticky post

🚜 Off the beaten path: It’s where to find some of the best faith stories 🔌

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 MIDVALE, Idaho — My reporting journeys have taken me to most of America’s major cities. New York. Chicago. Los Angeles. Houston. Washington. I love covering the news … Continue reading 🚜 Off the beaten path: It’s where to find some of the best faith stories 🔌

Sticky post

144-year-old Idaho church survives and thrives

Pacific Northwest congregation celebrates its history while embracing renewed life. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MIDVALE, Idaho — Sunflowers and knee-high yellow grass line U.S. Highway 95, the two-lane blacktop through this blink-and-miss-it farm town. Little green signs at each edge of Midvale —  known as Middle Valley until the post office adopted the shortened name in 1903 — give the population as 222. Amid … Continue reading 144-year-old Idaho church survives and thrives

Sticky post

🛢️ Detour to a culture war: Chicken, dumplings and food for thought at Cracker Barrel 🔌

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 NAMPA, Idaho — I exited off Interstate 84 and straight into the nation’s latest culture war. Unintentionally, I should stress. A reporting trip brought me to the Pacific … Continue reading 🛢️ Detour to a culture war: Chicken, dumplings and food for thought at Cracker Barrel 🔌

Sticky post

📰 ‘Our job is not to cover up sin’: Reporter Jerry Mitchell on faith and journalism 🔌

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 PEARL, Miss. — Jerry Mitchell is a legendary investigative reporter — and a devoted Christian who characterizes his secular job as both a calling and a ministry. … Continue reading 📰 ‘Our job is not to cover up sin’: Reporter Jerry Mitchell on faith and journalism 🔌

Sticky post

Mission: Evangelize Spanish America

Herald of Truth works to share Jesus with the fast-growing Hispanic population. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle GREEN BAY, Wis. — “Our God, He Is Alive.” “Existe un Dios.” On a recent Sunday, the Green Bay Church of Christ — just two-tenths of a mile off Packerland Drive — sang the unofficial anthem of Churches of Christ in both English and Spanish. A typical Lord’s Day at the church, … Continue reading Mission: Evangelize Spanish America

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

Sticky post

Reflecting on a 20-year journey

Our editor marks two decades of reporting real news that honors God. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ROANOKE, Texas — Somehow, 20 years have passed since I left The Associated Press for The Christian Chronicle. After accepting the job in 2005, I actually worked on my first Chronicle story while finishing my commitment with AP’s Dallas bureau. On a day off from the wire service, I went to interview an … Continue reading Reflecting on a 20-year journey

⚾️ Reporting on baseball and faith: A religion writer combines two loves 🔌

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 DETROIT — Cecil Cooper. Bobby Murcer. Rod Carew. Frank Tanana. As a boy growing up in the 1970s, I scoured the stats on the backs of their baseball … Continue reading ⚾️ Reporting on baseball and faith: A religion writer combines two loves 🔌