Tag: travel

Religion Unplugged

A pitch to follow Jesus: Baseball fans embrace players’ faith testimonials

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged DETROIT — The preacher made his pitch like a pro. Frank Tanana held a Bible in his left hand — the one he used to strike out 2,773 batters in a 21-season major league career — as he urged a pregame crowd of 3,074 fans to follow Jesus. “I beg of you, today is the day of salvation,” Tanana told the … Continue reading A pitch to follow Jesus: Baseball fans embrace players’ faith testimonials

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

A spiritual home run in Michigan

Detroit-area congregation extends a warm welcome to a visitor. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle DETROIT — I woke up in my happy place Sunday: close to a major league ballpark. While in the Motor City reporting a story, I saw my beloved Texas Rangers play the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. But before donning my blue Texas cap, I put on a black dress shirt and made my way … Continue reading A spiritual home run in Michigan

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion Unplugged

⛪️ $171 million for better sermons: National program blesses preachers 🔌

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 MALIBU, Calif. — Fun and sun in Southern California. Pizza and drinks on the beach. Thirty-one active and aspiring Christian preachers experienced these tangible benefits during a … Continue reading ⛪️ $171 million for better sermons: National program blesses preachers 🔌

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion Unplugged

🔥 Faith, hope and LA: The positive side of reporting on way too many disasters 🔌

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 ALTADENA, Calif. — I witness a whole lot of despair. I always look for a little bit of hope. As a journalist, I’ve covered way too much disaster and … Continue reading 🔥 Faith, hope and LA: The positive side of reporting on way too many disasters 🔌

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

‘I want kids to know Christ’

Winterfest goes ‘Way Out West’ to launch its first youth conference outside the Bible Belt. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — A small hotel ballroom. A few hundred teens. In sheer size, Winterfest Way Out West — a new teen event launched this past weekend — did not resemble the massive youth rallies that draw thousands in Texas and Tennessee each year. “In Fort … Continue reading ‘I want kids to know Christ’

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Holy imagination: Churches seek to reverse decline

Southern California seminars tackle ‘The Challenge of the Empty Church.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MISSION VIEJO, CALIF. — Spiritual earthquake, meet holy imagination. That’s one way to characterize the cultural and societal forces that brought together about 140 leaders representing 40-plus Churches of Christ on a recent weekend. From Orange County to the Inland Empire, ministers, elders and other concerned Christians flocked to back-to-back seminars … Continue reading Holy imagination: Churches seek to reverse decline

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

Top 24 of 2024: Bobby Ross Jr.’s best stories of the year

By Bobby Ross Jr. OKLAHOMA CITY — I love what I do. I get paid to travel and tell newsworthy stories. 2024 marked my 35th year in full-time journalism, and I thank God for allowing me to live my dream. A major career highlight: In April, I was honored to receive the Religion News Association’s Supple Award for Feature Writing at its 75th anniversary convention in … Continue reading Top 24 of 2024: Bobby Ross Jr.’s best stories of the year

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

A little farm, a giant legacy

An ordinary Christian couple made an extraordinary difference. A new memorial pays tribute. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle BELLVUE, Colo. — A blind farmer. A motorcycle-riding nurse. The story of the late Bob and Helen Bland is as ordinary as it is extraordinary, right down to their last name. Yet on a blue-sky Sunday afternoon, a crowd of friends, family and fellow Christians gathered … Continue reading A little farm, a giant legacy

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion Unplugged

✈️ Planes, trains and automobiles (and even motorcycles): The road to religion news 🔌

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 — I’ve helicoptered across Israel and cruised past “Moose Crossing” signs on an Alaskan highway. Jetlagged, I’ve dozed on a passenger train from the Netherlands … Continue reading ✈️ Planes, trains and automobiles (and even motorcycles): The road to religion news 🔌

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.