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Former Mets star Darryl Strawberry thanks Trump for pardon during sermon at Tulsa church

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Associated Press TULSA, Okla. — Former New York Mets great Darryl Strawberry praised Jesus and thanked President Donald Trump for pardoning his past tax evasion and drug charges as he preached Sunday at a Tulsa church. Jackson Lahmeyer, founder of Pastors for Trump, welcomed the eight-time All-Star to the pulpit of Sheridan Church, where more than 400 worshippers cheered when … Continue reading Former Mets star Darryl Strawberry thanks Trump for pardon during sermon at Tulsa church

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✝️ Forgiving Charlie Kirk’s killer: Grieving widow, Trump offer differing theologies 🔌

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 PARIS — “I forgive him.” Erika Kirk’s emotional words Sunday concerning her 31-year-old husband’s assassin reached all the way across the Atlantic Ocean. I heard them in … Continue reading ✝️ Forgiving Charlie Kirk’s killer: Grieving widow, Trump offer differing theologies 🔌

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🇺🇸 God and Trump: 5 revealing quotes from inaugural week 🔌

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 God figured prominently — and personally — in President Donald Trump’s second inaugural address. In fact, Trump mentioned God four times in Monday’s speech — just as he … Continue reading 🇺🇸 God and Trump: 5 revealing quotes from inaugural week 🔌

🇺🇸 ‘Good and faithful servant’: 7 religion takeaways from Jimmy Carter’s funeral 🔌

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 When Jimmy Carter was inaugurated as America’s 39th president in January 1977, Amy Carter, his only daughter, was a 9-year-old elementary school student. So, coincidentally, was I. As a third … Continue reading 🇺🇸 ‘Good and faithful servant’: 7 religion takeaways from Jimmy Carter’s funeral 🔌

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

In presidential election, many Christian voters split along racial lines

At a predominantly Black church in Southern California, Donald Trump’s win sparks discussion and reflection. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CARSON, Calif. — President-elect Donald Trump doesn’t have many fans, if any, at the Metropolitan Church of Christ in this urban community south of Los Angeles. No one interviewed at the predominantly Black congregation on a recent Lord’s Day voted for the Republican candidate. That’s not … Continue reading In presidential election, many Christian voters split along racial lines

🇺🇸 Trump’s comeback: What it means for immigrants, people of faith and the press 🔌

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 Before Election Day, I predicted a long night of vote counting. I was sort of right. When I fell asleep Tuesday — well before midnight — the … Continue reading 🇺🇸 Trump’s comeback: What it means for immigrants, people of faith and the press 🔌

A pro-life — and pro-love — ministry

Michigan church that picketed abortion clinics tries a ‘kinder, nicer’ approach. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle STERLING HEIGHTS, MICH. — A sign declaring that “Abortion stops a beating heart” no longer hangs outside the Metro Church of Christ. Leaders replaced that banner with one telling neighbors, “You’re VALUABLE! Made in the image of God.” The Detroit-area congregation has not wavered in its opposition to abortion. But … Continue reading A pro-life — and pro-love — ministry

Culture wars turn classrooms into battlefields

To understand the wrangling over religion in public schools, consider these three questions. 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 — Before I got my start in religion reporting 25 years ago, I … Continue reading Culture wars turn classrooms into battlefields