Photo - Jessica McPherson 2018 NZ Basil Sellers young writer winner with Bishop Brian Carrell
NZ’s Jessica McPherson, International’s Stacy-Ann Smith and Jason LaLone wins respective Basil Sellers Young Writer Awards on Saturday held at the Christchurch Salvation Army Centre at the annual young writers’ conference.
Young writers came from Australia, New Zealand, and around the world for the annual awards conference. Press Service International in conjunction with Christian Today established the young writer ministry in 2009 whereby each young writer is published in their own column 10 times a year, once every 5 weeks. Mr Basil Sellers AM has provided the award funding along with a substantial sum each year for air-fare scholarships to aid their expenses travelling to the annual conferences.
2018 has followed the 2017 Awards Commission set up last year which has divided the awards for 18-30 years of age, and then over 31’s. Jessica McPherson won the Kiwi young writer Basil Sellers, while USA’s Jason LaLone and Stacy-Ann Smith (Jamaica, West Indies) as joint winners of the International.
Five panellists marked all the Kiwi young writers in the 18-30 years age group from January to July.
The 5 New Zealand panellists
Brian Carrell - Christchurch
Liz Hay - Christchurch
Sophia Sinclair - Levin
Wayne Graham - Wellington
Sarah Richards - Wellington
Brian is a retired Anglican Bishop, Liz a retired editor, Sophia professional communications, Wayne editor of NZ Daily Encourager, Sarah editor Bible Society of NZ.
Photo - 2018 young writers conference in Christchurch
Jessica McPherson - NZ Basil Sellers winner
Jessica McPherson lives with her best friend and husband, Eoin, and their family of rescue animals in Christchurch. She loves reading, writing, photography and scrapbooking but most of all sharing God’s love and truth with a hurting world. Jessica is particularly passionate about encouraging children and building them up in gospel truth.
Jessica McPherson’s previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/jessica-mcpherson.html
The 3 International panellists
Dr Vic Matthews - Moruya
Dr Nathanael Yates - Perth
Rev Euan McDonald - Brisbane
Vic is a theologian, Nathanael an award-winning scientist and Euan an evangelical Uniting Church minister. Neither Jason or Stacy-Ann were at the conference due to travel.
Stacy-Ann Smith - joint International Basil Sellers winner
Stacy-Ann Smith - is a child therapist and an activist against human trafficking. She is involved with children's ministry and working girls has a heart to teach them the ways of the Lord. Stacy-Ann has travelled extensively in mission and in 2017 won the International Young Writer’s Theology Award.
Stacy-Ann Smith’s previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/stacy-ann-smith.html
Jason LaLone - joint Internationals Basil Sellers winner
Jason LaLone was on staff at YWAM Brisbane and is currently in America working with Truro Anglican Church located in Fairfax, Virginia. He is passionate about discipleship, taking Jesus’ command to make disciples a practical reality that he can live on a daily basis. He loves lasagna, cats and used to dislike Monday's, making him most like Garfield.
Jason LaLone’s previous articles might be viewed at: http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/Jason-LaLone.html
Photo - Russell Modlin MC for the conference
Basil Sellers Awards - New Zealand
2013 - Daniel Jang
2014 - Casey Murray
2015 - Sophia Sinclair / Jeremy Suisted - Joint
2016 - Matt Browning / Kara Greening - Joint
2017 - Emma McGeorge
2018 - Jessica McPherson
Basil Sellers Awards - International
2015 - Genevieve Wilson (Canada), Paul Lewis (West Indies)
2016 - Andrew Sinclair (Missions from New Zealand)
2017 - Sharma Taylor (West Indies)
2018 - Stacy-Ann Smith (West Indies) Jason LaLone (USA)
Young people 18-30 years interested in writing for Christian Today with your own international column please connect with Dr Mark Tronson timeout@bushorchestra.com 0419 917 713
Photo - Conor Ryan with Kristen Dang both from Adelaide
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 24 books and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html