The 2021 young writer program published by Christian Today and coordinated by Press Service International kick-starts today after a two week holiday break (Summer series - the Best of 2020). It is a very exciting program for this new year consisting of the following –
- Australian young writers
- Kiwi young writers
- International young writers
- Aust and Intern’ls Over 31s writers
- Senior writers (Aust, NZ, Intern’ls)
- Sport writers
- Mission writers
- Music writers
2021 sees new directions
The major 2021 feature in these new directions sees the “18-30 years and Over 31s” in both the Kiwis and Internationals have become separate to Press Service International.
This means that after three years of Stand Alone for the 18-30 and Over 31s, Kiwis and Internationals, now they have taken responsibility for themselves. In both cases they have senior writers from their own ilk who serve as their editors.
NZ senior writer Esther Koh is the editor of the Kiwi young writers - and - International senior writer Josh Robbie is the editor of the international young writers.
As for new 18-30 years ‘new faces’ into young writers into both the Kiwis and Internationals, NZ senior writers Mussita Ng and Esther Koh are handling these. The internationals has Josh Robbie and new Stand Alone Ashea West handling them.
Stand Alone continues - NZ Tim Newman forwards each Cycle’s articles to Christian Today, and Ashea West has taken over this role for the Internationals from Jason Lalone who for many years filled this role.
Significant
The 2021 annual conference will again be held in September on the Gold Coast as last year as it is the easiest airport destination from New Zealand. We trust by September air travel will be eased from Covid restrictions.
The Panellists who mark the young writers for the annual awards continue as is and retaining the ARPA model of marking whereby each young writer sends in their Best Article for marking.
Panellist groups of 5 - Aust young writers, Kiwi young writers, International young writers, Aust and Internationals Over 31s, Sport writers, Seniors (the newer group moved up from Over 31s). There are several Collectors and Statisticians who collate the marks for the annual awards. It is straight forward.
Comings and goings
The very nature of the young writer ministry is that young people stay in the program until they feel it is time to move-on. It is cyclical and is designed as such.
The purpose of this ministry is to provide young people a means (though being published internationally) to grow into Christian maturity as young leaders and self-esteem – a seriously major aspect of what we do.
The Lord provides fresh faces each year through recommendations. This has worked well over many years.
There is a Brain’s Trust whose members change over time, they provide wisdom consult into the program. Currently the members are Sam Gillespie (chair), Rebecca Moore, Wes Tronson, Cartia Moore, Amy Manners and former chair Russell Modlin the perennial MC at the annual conferences.
A fresh approach in 2021 has been to “former young writers” to fill gaps over the 5 week cyclical program – by inviting them to write 2 articles a year. We now have 3 groups of 4 former writers. One of these former writers responded – I want back into the program, the full monty, 10 articles a year. Remarkable.
Young people (18-30) interested in being published internationally with their own column (once every 5 weeks – very reasonable) please connect initially with
Dr Mark Tronson - timeout@bushorchestra.com 0419 917 713
Dr Mark Tronson - a 4 min video
Chairman – Well-Being Australia
Baptist Minister 45 years
- 1984 - Australian cricket team chaplain 17 years (Ret)
- 2001 - Life After Cricket (18 years Ret)
- 2009 - Olympic Ministry Medal – presented by Carl Lewis
- 2019 - The Gutenberg - (ARPA Christian Media premier award)
Gutenberg video - 2min 14sec
Married to Delma for 45 years with 4 children and 6 grand children
