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 is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 25 books, and enjoys writing. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand. Dr Mark Tronson’s Press Service International in 2019 was awarded ‘The Gutenberg’ - the Australasian Religious Press Association’s premier award. In September 2020 Summer Moore presented her commission portrait of Dr Mark Tronson holding the Gutenberg plaque. He and David Chang editor of Christian Today together bought the young writer ministry into fruition in 2009. In 2011 Mark established Laguna Quays Respite (Whitsundays) for missionary respite and replicated at Aldinga Beach 2016 (Adelaide) and Greens Beach Bass Straight (TAS). His ministry is honoured all these years by Christian philanthropist Mr Basil Sellers AM. He is married to Delma (44 years), with four adult married children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at https://www.pressserviceinternational.org/dr-mark-t.html
