It has been a huge year for the PSI young writers from Australia and New Zealand with three separate mini-conferences in Auckland, Christchurch and Melbourne including the annual awards.
Each of the young writers have now put down their quills (as it were) for this "four week respite" time before they pick-up the program once again on the 20 January 2014.
Next year there are additional young writers in the program, some returning after a period of time, others will be new to the project, but whatever the case, if it is anything like this year, the young writers will once again be as-keen-as at the end of January.
Each young writer has their own web presence CV site – they may be viewed by moving across the top of the page where they are listed under Sport, Australia, International and New Zealand. www.pressserviceinternational.org
Reflection
In my personal Christmas greeting to each young writer I wrote: - Maybe 2014 will be recalled in years to come for you, as a milestone year. Christmas has a kind of confidence, and a new year is full of anticipation.
May your imagination in such things bring you much joy and embolden your embrace of what is and what is to come. Here is a gem 'for you' full of rich bounty even with all that we are not - Jeremiah 12 verse 3 "You O Lord know me, You have tested my heart."
Analysis
The young writers have developed their own personal blog-style of presentation, and this illustrates our flexible guidelines for diversity of ideas. They bring freshness, diversity, flexibility and individuality.
The young writers enjoy being involved and I for one am delighted. One professional told me that it's one of the most successful inclusions of gen Y in a writing ministry they had observed.
Best of 2013
Over this next four weeks the 2013 young writers will have their "Best of 2013" republished in Christian Today.
This may create for you the reader some holiday fun - keep as sharp eye out for your favourite young writer/s and ascertain whether their choice of Best of 2013 article - matches up with your selection.
Week 1 - 23-27 December
Daniel Jang - Wellington, NZ
Genevieve Wilson - Canada
Kandima Awendila - Gold Coast (ambique)
Lehi Duncan - Wellington, NZ
Oscar Duan - Sydney (China)
Lisa Goetze - Brisbane (Canada)
Dale Wang - Christchurch, NZ
Brad Mills - Auckland, NZ
Helen McIntosh - Wellington, NZ
Josh Hinds (International Sport) – Gold Coast
Nathanael Yates - Perth
Elesha Edmonds - Auckland, NZ
Ben Kitzelman - Melbourne
Joelle Bautista - Christchurch, NZ
Russell Croft - Melbourne
Week 2 - 30 Dec – 3 January
Dan Peterson - Launceston (USA)
Charley Goiris - Melbourne
Thomas Devenish - Hobart
Meenal Chandra - Sydney
Blaine Packer - Launceston
Grace Mathew - Sydney
Amos Sale - Wellington, NZ
Tisha Williams - Gold Coast (Indigenous)
Brad Mills (NZ Sport) - Auckland, NZ
Gemma Taylor - Auckland, NZ
Jared Diprose - Auckland, NZ
Sam Manchester - Sydney
Belinda Croft - Melbourne
Andrea Earl - Auckland, NZ (England)
Merewyn Foran - Melbourne
Week 3 - 6-11 January
Tina Hakimi - Sydney (USA)
Anton Zhang - Sydney
Russell Modlin - Sunshine Coast
Zach Radloff - Gold Coast
Sam Gillespie - Wollongong
Daniel Mathew - Sydney
Annemarie de Villiers (Women's Sport) - Melbourne
Amanda Robinson - Auckland, NZ (England)
Sophia Sinclair - Christchurch, NZ
Leanne Van Rensburg - Sydney (South Africa)
Rebecca Moore - Sunshine Coast
Natalie Van Egmond - Brisbane
Casey Murray - Auckland, NZ
Jeremy Suisted - Cambridge, NZ (Hamilton)
Harriet Campbell - Wellington, NZ
Week 4 - 13-17 January
Alison Barkley - Newcastle (Philippines on Mission)
Jeremy Dover - Geelong
Laura Veloso - Melbourne
Christopher Archibald - Sydney
Bridget Brenton - Gold Coast
Clarissa Yates - Perth
Gemma Margeriosn - England (ex NZ)
Sam Burrows - Auckland, NZ
Tash McGill - Auckland, NZ
Mercy Cornish - Christchurch, NZ
Adam Schoenmaker (Sport) - Brisbane
Chloe Pryor - Auckland, NZ
Russell Croft - Melbourne
Cody Knox - Wellington, NZ
Danielle Stott - Gold Coast
Janetta Hayden - Perth
Enjoy their Best of 2013 over the break ! The young writers 2014 program kick-starts on Monday 20 January.
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 has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at
www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html