Faith Facts

• Bunnie Xo publicly addressed her divorce from country singer Jelly Roll, stating the separation was not mutual
• According to Bunnie, she left following an argument on Mother’s Day, after which Jelly Roll filed divorce papers
• The dissolution of the marriage highlights ongoing challenges facing modern American families and the entertainment industry’s impact on traditional values

Bunnie Xo has broken her silence regarding the end of her marriage to country music star Jelly Roll, offering her perspective on the circumstances that led to their separation. In her public statement, she revealed details that challenge earlier narratives about the divorce being a mutual decision.

According to Bunnie’s account, she made the decision to pack her belongings and leave the marital home following a disagreement that occurred on Mother’s Day. She stated that Jelly Roll subsequently filed divorce papers, a move she describes as unilateral rather than jointly decided.

The breakdown of this marriage serves as another reminder of the immense pressures placed on modern families, particularly those in the public eye. The entertainment industry often creates environments that can strain even the strongest relationships, testing the foundation of commitment and traditional family values that have historically sustained American marriages.

Bunnie’s decision to speak out publicly demonstrates her desire to set the record straight and take control of her own narrative. In an age where social media and celebrity culture dominate public discourse, individuals are increasingly choosing to address personal matters directly with their audiences rather than through traditional media channels.

The Mother’s Day timing of the initial conflict adds a particularly poignant element to the story, given the day’s significance in celebrating motherhood and family bonds. This detail underscores the personal and emotional nature of the circumstances that led to the separation.

As this situation continues to develop, it serves as an important reminder of the challenges facing families today. The pressures of fame, public scrutiny, and competing priorities can test even the most committed relationships, highlighting the need for strong foundations built on shared values and faith.

The couple’s separation also reflects broader cultural trends affecting marriage and family stability in America. Traditional institutions continue to face challenges from changing social norms and the unique stresses of modern life, particularly in entertainment and media circles.

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Faith Facts

• Memorial Church of Christ in Houston welcomed a homeless man named Maurice Costabile, later discovering his father was a beloved Yankees cameraman dubbed the “Mayor of Yankee Stadium”
• Church volunteers, including an 83-year-old Jamaican immigrant and a 38-year-old Russian immigrant nurse, now provide Maurice with weekly hotel showers, meals, and medical care
• Maurice battles mental and physical health issues and has been living on the streets since his mother died of COVID-19 in 2021, when he wandered away from the hospital

When Maurice Costabile first appeared at Memorial Church of Christ in Houston a few years ago, nobody knew the story behind the disheveled man who looked like he desperately needed help. They didn’t know his late father, Duilio, was a beloved TV cameraman known as the “Mayor of Yankee Stadium.” They had no idea his late mother, Maria Landa, was an Ivy League-educated psychologist.

They just saw a man in desperate need — and they chose to act on their faith.

“I mean, Jesus is for everyone,” said David Duncan, preaching minister for the Memorial Church of Christ, which averages Sunday attendance of about 800.

“Nobody’s going to be turned away. And he obviously had some very dire needs.”

Costabile, 59, who battles a variety of physical and mental health issues, saw a banner advertising the congregation at Houston’s Memorial City Mall. He walked 1.3 miles from the shopping center to the church building, just off Interstate 10. What happened next is a testament to the power of Christian compassion in action.

“Let’s be honest: There have been conversations where people are like, ‘He doesn’t need to be here. It’s not safe for our kids,'” said Mike Avery, Memorial’s community minister.

“Some people don’t want him around. But that’s because the church is human, right? And they’re scared, and they’re fearful.”

“But I’m happy that our church overall has really worked to help him and not kick him out,” Avery added.

“So we’re really trying, and we’re not going to give up on him.”

Avery helped Costabile connect with Houston law enforcement’s Homeless Outreach Team and has taken him to medical appointments. However, finding a long-term solution off the streets has proven more difficult. Costabile’s lack of official documents, such as a birth certificate or a Social Security card, complicates applying for government benefits.

“We tried to get him into a halfway house,” Avery said, “but he only lasted a few days because it’s made for people who can take care of themselves physically, and he can’t do that.”

To make Costabile more presentable for worship, the congregation began renting a hotel room to give him a shower before the Sunday service.

“He knows how to survive on the street, but he’s in terrible health,” Duncan said.

“It’s not that you can save everybody, but when somebody comes into your church building, I think you have a responsibility to help.”

With more than 25 native countries represented in the pews, the Memorial congregation reflects the diversity of Houston. Church volunteers — including an 83-year-old Jamaican immigrant named Sadie Powell and a 38-year-old Russian immigrant named Yulia Merchant — lead the effort to help Costabile.

On a typical Saturday night, Merchant, a nurse practitioner, and her three school-age sons pick up food for Costabile from Spencer Prather, one of Memorial’s children’s ministers. Then the mother and boys give Costabile a ride from the church building to the hotel, where they connect with Powell.

Costabile has leg wounds caused by lymphedema.

“We shower him together, and after his shower, I change any wound dressings, if needed, and wrap his legs,” said Merchant, who also spearheaded the launch of Memorial’s thriving ministry for Ukrainian refugees.

“He usually gets a very good night’s sleep at the hotel.”

On Sunday morning, Merchant makes sure Costabile has breakfast and drives him to worship. Powell takes him to lunch. Costabile has the mind of a child and can’t care for himself, Merchant said.

“If that would be my child, and God would take me to heaven, I would want my child to be taken care of,” she said of her motivation.

“And Maurice is God’s child.”

Costabile told church members that he and his mother were living in an extended-stay hotel during the pandemic. But then she got into an accident and later died of COVID-19, he said. After he wandered away from the hospital, loved ones filed a missing persons report in 2021.

“But the people who filed that have since died,” Avery said.

Memorial leaders pray that publicity about Costabile might alert relatives to his whereabouts and prompt them to contact the church.

“You got some new clothes,” Duncan, the preaching minister, said as he greeted Costabile in the church office this week.

“Yeah,” Costabile replied before turning the conversation to recent heavy rains in Houston.

“It’s very bad weather out. The other day, there was a lot of thunder.”

Duncan introduced a reporter to Costabile.

“Mr. Ross, like the store?” Costabile replied, referring to the Ross Dress for Less chain.

“I heard of that. It’s a good store.”

As Powell discussed Costabile’s mental health concerns, he interjected, “I may be bipolar, but I’m pretty intelligent on stuff.”

“Extremely intelligent,” Powell agreed.

Avery describes Costabile as friendly with the mindset of a 7-year-old.

“He loves to color and draw airplane cockpits, and he draws them to scale,” Avery said.

“And his memory is incredible as far as things that happened a long time ago.”

“But I always wonder: Is this guy like an angel? Or is it like, he’s one of ‘the least of these,’ and God is testing us?” the community minister added, alluding to Matthew 25.

“Sometimes I wonder about that, but he’s really an interesting guy.”

David Bean, another Memorial member active in helping Costabile, came across a documentary video recounting his father’s camera work with the Yankees. Duilio Costabile worked alongside Yankees greats Phil Rizzuto and Bobby Murcer.

Bean played the video for Maurice Costabile.

“At first, it made me really sad because I know this life is not what his parents would have wanted for him,” Duncan said.

“But it also made me think that maybe there are people out there who know him and want to help him.”

“But secondly and momentarily, it made me really happy that he had an opportunity to see a video with his dad, whom he hadn’t seen in many years,” the minister added.

“It brought real joy to him. He kept saying, ‘My dad! My dad!'”

The congregation’s compassionate response to Maurice Costabile embodies the Gospel message of caring for “the least of these.” Despite initial concerns from some members, the church has chosen to embrace Christ’s command to love and serve those in need. Through the selfless actions of volunteers like Sadie Powell and Yulia Merchant, Memorial Church of Christ demonstrates that true Christian faith shows itself through works of mercy and compassion.

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Faith Facts

• Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow warns parents about online predators using sophisticated tactics to reach children through smartphones
• Tebow emphasizes the critical importance of parental involvement in monitoring children’s digital activity as threats evolve
• The faith leader highlights how predators are exploiting technology in increasingly deceptive ways to target vulnerable youth

As smartphones have become a fixture in the hands of America’s children, a prominent Christian voice is sounding the alarm about the growing dangers lurking behind those screens. Tim Tebow, the former NFL quarterback known for his unwavering faith and philanthropic work, is calling on parents to stay vigilant as online predators develop increasingly sophisticated methods to exploit young people.

The warning comes at a critical time when children are gaining access to mobile devices at younger ages than ever before. Tebow, who has dedicated much of his post-football career to protecting vulnerable children through the Tim Tebow Foundation, understands the scope of this digital threat better than most.

“Online predators are finding new and evil ways to reach our kids,” Tebow emphasized, pointing to the reality that parents must confront in today’s technology-driven world. The dangers are no longer confined to strangers in public places—they can now infiltrate the supposed safety of our homes through devices that fit in a child’s pocket.

This message resonates deeply with Christian families who prioritize protecting the innocence of childhood while navigating the complexities of modern life. The smartphone, while offering convenience and connection, has also opened a door that predators are all too eager to exploit.

Tebow’s advocacy extends beyond mere warnings. Through his foundation’s anti-human trafficking efforts, he has witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences when children fall prey to online exploitation. His call to action is rooted not in fear-mongering, but in the harsh realities he has encountered through years of rescue and prevention work.

For Christian parents, the challenge is finding the balance between preparing children for a digital world and protecting them from its darkest corners. Tebow’s message underscores a fundamental truth: parental engagement cannot be outsourced to filters and monitoring software alone. Active, consistent involvement in a child’s online activities remains the strongest defense.

The evolution of predatory tactics means that dangers once easy to identify have become camouflaged within seemingly innocent apps, games, and social platforms. What appears to be harmless entertainment can serve as a gateway for those with malicious intent to establish contact, build trust, and ultimately exploit young victims.

This reality demands that parents educate themselves about the digital landscape their children inhabit. Understanding the platforms, knowing the warning signs, and maintaining open communication are essential components of keeping kids safe in an increasingly connected world.

Tebow’s work through his foundation demonstrates the power of faith-driven action in confronting evil. His message to parents carries the weight of someone who has seen the consequences of digital predation and is committed to preventing more children from becoming victims.

The responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of mothers and fathers to be the first line of defense. No school program, no tech company safeguard, and no law enforcement agency can replace the protective presence of an engaged parent who knows what their child is doing online.

As families gather in homes across America, Tebow’s warning serves as a crucial reminder that the battle for our children’s safety has entered a new arena. The same devices that connect us to limitless information and entertainment can also connect our most vulnerable to those who wish them harm.

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