New Zealand Young Writer Panellist Liz Hay, a retired professional editor, reflected what many of the Panellists across the board have expressed, it is the diversity of subject and the quality of the material.
In my views, this has been the astonishing factor of this young writer program that has four major wings
Australians
New Zealanders
Internationals
Sport
Although they may be divided into additional groups such as 18-30 year olds, Over 31s, then the Over 36s senior writers - this diversity of subject has been their hallmark.
This is the strength of this young writer ministry.
It is ‘Comment’ writing - it is not bible studies or sermons. Christian Today as the publisher is a Christian news on-line service who publishes Christian News and Comment.
Christian Today Australia and Christian Today New Zealand are two of the 101 mastheads of CMCI – Christian Media Corporation International. Christian Post (USA) is the largest Christian news provider in the world. They often republish our young writers in their Voices section.
Diversity
This diversity of engagement is not only that of subject matter. The young writers themselves come from very diverse backgrounds
Pastors
Mission
Missionaries
Homemakers
Doctors
Lawyers
Professionals
Office
Administration
Labour
Council
Secretaries
Uni students
Post Grads
Lecturers
Theologians
And a lot more besides - before seminary I was a train driver.
Theological
The young writers are from a diverse group of Christian mind set – some Reformed or very Reformed, some Evangelical or very evangelical, some main stream or exactingly main stream, some Pentecostal or very Pentecostal - get the drift.
This diversity is an enormous strength to this young writer ministry as they read each other’s articles and get to see that Christianity is not limited to their mould.
And moreover - they come from Australia, New Zealand, England, Canada, West Indies, USA, China, Nigeria, South Africa and previously from many other parts of the world.
If you are a between 18-30 years of age, love to hear from you. You are provided an editor who will help you. You get to write 10 articles a year, your own column, published internationally. If you analyse what we do, we’re a literary program for young people. Quite wonderful. timeout@bushorchestra.vom
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
