In Alaska, a Russian-speaking church becomes a hub for helping Ukrainians

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged ANCHORAGE, Alaska — An elevated cross reaches toward the blue sky at a nondescript corner of Alaska’s largest city. Viewed from the right vantage point, the cross towers over the snow-capped mountains that adorn Anchorage’s horizon. Inside a nearby church building, a few dozen immigrants from Ukraine, Russia and other Slavic nations gather in a circle at a Thursday … Continue reading In Alaska, a Russian-speaking church becomes a hub for helping Ukrainians

‘Beautiful are the faces’: Alaska Christians reunited, reinvigorated

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Snow-capped mountains rise behind the Anchorage Church of Christ as the sun sets after 9 p.m. on a chilly April night. The peaks reflect the beauty of Alaska’s largest city, where an estimated 1,500 moose share the natural surroundings with nearly 300,000 human residents. Inside the church building this past weekend, Robert Kuenning, longtime minister for the Valley Church of Christ in Wasilla, north … Continue reading ‘Beautiful are the faces’: Alaska Christians reunited, reinvigorated

Serving Jesus and soft drinks — at 38,000 feet

From flight attendant to funeral director, secular jobs help pay the bills for bivocational ministers. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle NEWNAN, Ga. — On a typical Sunday, Alan Henderson shares God’s word with 100 to 110 souls at the Newnan Church of Christ, about 35 miles southwest of Atlanta. The rest of the week, the part-time preacher lives out his faith from a different vantage point: … Continue reading Serving Jesus and soft drinks — at 38,000 feet

Can America be saved? Yes, say these Christians

Domestic mission effort focuses on reaching lost souls in the U.S. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ROME, Ga. — Julie Trujillo has traveled to Honduras and Peru to help with medical missions. She has flown to Panama to evangelize. The 45-year-old Christian was looking for her next chance to share Jesus in Latin America when she learned about a door-knocking campaign in Rome — … Continue reading Can America be saved? Yes, say these Christians

The happiest place on earth?

In Disney World’s shadow, Equip Conference brings together pandemic-weary Churches of Christ. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ORLANDO, Fla. — Mickey Mouse may be the big draw for millions of tourists who flock to Central Florida each year. But for the roughly 1,000 Christians meeting at an Orlando hotel this weekend, the chance — at long last — to sing, pray and mingle with fellow believers beats … Continue reading The happiest place on earth?

Story behind the story: How a busy weekend turned into front-page news

The behind-the-scenes narrative of our deadline coverage of the memorial events for Jack Evans Sr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle TERRELL, Texas — Over the weekend, and on deadline for our December print edition, I made a 42-hour trip to this town 30 miles east of Dallas.  My mission: to cover the memorial events for Jack Evans Sr., the trailblazing longtime president of Southwestern Christian … Continue reading Story behind the story: How a busy weekend turned into front-page news

‘I’m a dealer, but I don’t gamble’

Christians in Sin City differ on whether it’s sinful to wager on a game of chance. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle LAS VEGAS — I hit the jackpot on a recent Sunday. No, I didn’t win big money at the slot machines or blackjack tables. Since I don’t gamble, that would be impossible. But I did strike it rich in terms of how … Continue reading ‘I’m a dealer, but I don’t gamble’

From global justice champion to Christian university president

A Ugandan teenager imprisoned on false murder charges. An American law professor inspired to follow God’s calling. The story behind a life-changing meeting, an African nation’s reforms and Pepperdine’s surprising choice. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MALIBU, Calif. — A few hours after Jim Gash’s inauguration this fall as Pepperdine University’s eighth president, his wife, Joline, showed up at her husband’s fourth-floor executive … Continue reading From global justice champion to Christian university president

‘Champs’ meet Christ at Croatian camp

In this once-communist nation, non-Catholic believers often face suspicion. But Churches of Christ report progress. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ZAGREB, Croatia — For nine years, members of Churches of Christ in this central European capital have organized an annual outreach to children known as “Champs Camp.” It’s not every year, though, that the weeklong, Christian-themed day camp mixes Vacation Bible School songs and … Continue reading ‘Champs’ meet Christ at Croatian camp