One Day in Melbourne – Evangelicals Online was an industrial day in nature but underlying evangelical – a one-day gathering for editors, writers, designers, social media mavens, authors, bloggers, self-publishers—anyone in Christian media whose aim is to maximise the Gospel.
It's philosophy was to provide a top of-the-line presentation to the forgotten Christian media: Missionary/mission publication editors, bloggers and small Christian media. The speakers are available for appointment. This top of the line presentation ensured mission agencies received a thorough concordant.
Sophia Sinclair - sophiasinc@gmail.com
Sophia Sinclair is a Kiwi freelance writer and editor living in Sydney, Australia. Sophia has experience in broadcast journalism and PR, with a special interest in working with faith-based non-profits.
Sophia previously worked as a journalist for Radio New Zealand National before moving to lead the communications team at the New Zealand Church Missionary Society (NZCMS).
During her time at NZCMS she edited and produced the book Our Story: Aotearoa – the story of mission in Aotearoa through the lens of the New Zealand Church Missionary Society.
She is currently working for Press Service International, a ministry which coordinates a group of young writers to write comment pieces for Christian Today Australia and various other Christian publications.
Sophia loves all forms of communication, and is passionate about equipping people to share stories of how God is at work in their lives.
Peter Brookshaw - peter.brookshaw@aus.salvationarmy.org
Captain Pete Brookshaw is the Senior Minister of The Salvation Army Craigieburn. He has a Bachelor of Business and is passionate about the church being dynamic and effective in the world and creating communities of faith that are outward-focused, innovative, passionate about the lost and committed to societal change. He has been blogging since 2006 (www.petebrookshaw.com) about leadership and faith on topics such as '10 Reasons Why People Don't Attend Church.'
In early 2016, Pete released his first book, co-authored with Stephen Court, called, 'Holy! 9 Lies, Half-Truths and Outrageous Misconceptions about the most radical experience you've never lived.'
Pete will inspire you to make a difference in the world, to rise above mediocrity and be the best that you can be. The world needs empowered, Spirit-filled, courageous followers of Jesus.
Bob Thomas - editor@nlife.com.au
Before entering the ministry, Bob Thomas spent three years as a primary school teacher, which he found to be excellent training for the ministry, so much of which involves teaching. Bob has been the minister of St Kilda-Balaclava Presbyterian Church in Melbourne for the past 22 years. He regards this as his 'day job'.
He is also editor of 'New Life Christian Newspaper, which serves the non / trans / multi / inter / denominational church and is available free from www.nlife.com.au and which Bob serves in a voluntary capacity.
He has served two terms as Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria and was Moderator General of the Presbyterian Church of Australia from 2004-2007. He is director of PresAID, the Presbyterian Church's Overseas Aid And Development Committee.
Bob is married to Alison and they have two children and seven grandchildren.
David Goodwin - david.goodwin@esacc.org.au
David Goodwin is an award winning author and the former Editor of the
Salvation Army magazine, On Fire. His fiction has appeared in markets all
over the world, and he writes two regular columns for Christian Today - a
monthly Comment piece and a monthly Sport article.
David has an extensive background in sports, having ran a cricket club with the express purpose of providing a safe and supportive environment for recovering addicts, and ensuring that financial circumstances were not a barrier to participation. He was also one of the founders of the Mid Year Cricket Association which started with eight teams and now has more than ninety.
He also spent almost a decade working with youth, and also started a Christian radio program that consistently topped the rating for its secular radio station. He is happy to talk, or write, on any of these subjects - or anything else!
Sheelagh Wegman - sheelagh.wegman@gmail.com
Sheelagh Wegman, BA, IPEd Accredited Editor, wears several hats: she is a specialist in freelance copyediting, structural editing, proofreading, layout, ghost-writing. Sheelagh is production editor for the Tasmanian Anglican bi-monthly magazine, in print and online. She does a broad range of editing for self-publishing authors and is currently working on a history of brickmaking in Hobart.
Sheelagh is an advocate for clear, concise text. Careful editing is essential: it clarifies the text and enhances the power of the words. She works as a tour guide for cruise-ship shore excursions and is a member of St David's Cathedral Chapter and Cathedral Choir, Secretary Society of Editors TAS. Sheelagh likes music, reading, travel, sewing and people. She has 3 adult children, 5 grandchildren and lives in South Hobart bushland with husband and cat.
Mark Tronson - timeout@bushorchestra.com or info@markt.id.au
(Mark specialises in men's breakfasts / dinners)
Mark Tronson is a great one for finding a need and filling it. He saw the need for the Australian cricket team to have a chaplain and filled that role for 17 years to 2000, continuing with Life After Cricket. In 1992 he established Basil Sellers House as an Australian Institute of Sport place of respite in Moruya NSW, in 2006. He duplicated this in SE Qld. Then in 2011 with a cottage on the Whitsundays for missionary respite. In 2009 he was presented with the Olympic Ministry Medal by Carl Lewis, the Olympian of the Century.
In 2008 he was invited by Christian Today to be a daily columnist and in 2009 established the Young Writer Program with Christian Today. In 2005, NEW LIFE published 25 of Australia's most influential Evangelicals – and Mark was one of them. Mark serves as Chair of Well-Being Australia. He is married to Delma, his bride of 39 years, and they have been blessed with 4 adult children, and a number of grandchildren.
One Day in Melbourne 2017
The Melbourne gathering wants it held again in 2017, while a "One Day in Sydney – Evangelicals Online" is set for Saturday 13 August.
Huge thanks to the Sallies June Knop and David Redman. Rosie Timmins was on the welcome desk and the scribe while Bridget Brenton was on the video camera and the video production of the 1 min PR video.
"One Day in Melbourne - Evangelicals Online" was a combined effort by Rev Bob Thomas Editor New Life, the Salvation Army's Media Head Dr Bruce Redman and Well-Being Australia's Dr Mark Tronson a Christian Today daily columnist.
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.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html