The Press Service International young writer conference held last week in Melbourne had many highlights, one of which is the Bridget Brenton video production of 2 min ..
These are some of what the young themselves sent in –
Amy Manners - Adelaide
Cartia Moore and I had sooo much fun doing the seminar together and hope that we inspired a few people to think outside the box and communicate in creative ways. Conference was a huge success and lots of people are tagging PSI on Instagram, sharing their experiences, great to have that engagement! Looking forward to where the Lord is taking this ministry. Thank you for being faithful and following his call.
Roydon Ng - Sydney
The conference was great. Day went faster than expected. Excellent also to be able to meet other writers too. Presentation about incorporating multimedia in articles was top notch and struck the balance of encouraging everyone to have a go with quality yet simple technical instruction.
Cartia Moore - Sunshine Coast
My experience at the conference was great! I loved connecting with everyone and hearing from different speakers about the importance of our writing, mentoring, building God's kingdom, etc... I also loved being given the opportunity to speak alongside Amy Manners on film/video and the potential to incorporate it within our articles. I am feeling very hopeful about the future of our writing and what we can accomplish as vessels for God with our writing and communication skills.
Kristen Dang - Adelaide
Loved the opportunity to hear other young writers share their testimonies, dreams and passions at the Young Writers Conference. It was also a reminder that we are vessels through which God can speak out His message, and I was particularly encouraged by the thought of God “raising up an army of artists”.
Rebecca Hoverd - Auckland, NZ
I like the sharing of tips and ideas to make my writing better e.g. using video, looking for trends in the future. It was really great to be able to finally meet so many writers and put names to faces. I also appreciated being able to better understand the bigger picture we are all part of. The Salvation Army were wonderful hosts, including great food! I like the exposure to the different ideas and breadth of ministry e.g. art, podcast, writing etc
John Lemmon - Melbourne
Thanks for all the work putting together this young writer team and the sessions on Saturday. It was a good day (apart from the weather!) and it's always great to catch up with the whole team. It is a great blessing from the Lord to be able to do this work and to you as His servant to pull it all together. How how much I appreciate the team’s work and efforts as I am sure as everyone else does.
Review to the Young Writer Brain’s Trust
There were many first timers at the conference who would have been unaware of how good our conferences are over many years - many told me this was a great conference - the secret was three fold.
First - we had very practical input by people with considerable expertise - Amy and Cartia; David Goodwin; and Emma McGeorge who nailed it - don’t have to read the daily PSI (daily articles sent by email) but read what is relevant to you - very practical
Second - there was a strict run sheet - it all flowed and the young people themselves followed Russel and Rebecca lead in this - some conf drag their feet
Third - we had fresh input - Jo Brookshaw and her art, Mark Rusic on mentoring (numerous ones said Wes Tronson’s presentation was very interesting especially as he is on the NAB mentoring group) - all iPhones were down. This freshness included Amy and Cartia - speaking their language and IT appreciation.
It was all fresh .... a bit like Tim Newman last year a former young writer - now a professional journalist - not just another bible talk however good such talks are.
Jeremy Dover’s model of having high school awards ought to get a good hearing for future conferences. Local Christian schools. Suggestions are welcome.
Many networked over the day and I have been told of some very erstwhile mutual links. There is considerable warmth in our young writers towards the stability Russell Modlin, Rebecca Molore and Sam Gillespie bring to the young writers.
Rebecca Moore’s suggestion which was warmly received of a book of the young writer’s articles – Rebecca and her husband from the Sunshine Coast have established a publishing house.
The conference next year is on Saturday 12 September at Living Temple Christian Church (Tugun Baptist, Qld) adjacent to the Gold Coast Airport which should make it easier for such book distribution.
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
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
