18-30?
Love to comment on the world around you?
Willing to tackle and wrestle with life from a Christian worldview?
Why not give the Press Service International Young Writers program a try?
Have your comments, your views, your doubts, your fears or maybe your story published every 5 weeks for well renowned website Christian Today Australia.
Mission Statement
Our passion is to equip and encourage young adult writers as they voice their faith in Christ to their generation.
Background to the program
Dr Mark Tronson has been a faith financed minister since 1977. In 2005 he established ‘Press Service International’ to promote his Christian articles around the world.
In 2008 Christian Today Australia (online) editor Szeleng Chan rang Mark to write a daily article. A year later, a new editor, David Chang had Mark over for coffee and suggested a daily sport article. As a man of advancing years, Mark found this was going to be too much, yet David Chang warmed to Mark’s idea of having five young people write a sport article for each weekday.
A year later, having seen these young sport writers boom, the young writer ministry expanded to include other young people and a broad range of topics.
I was fortunate to be one of the first included and wrote particularly about my experiences living in Alice Springs, working (and playing AFL football) alongside indigenous people, and being a husband and father of 3 sons.
The program has been going for just over 10 years, and with the gracious support of Basil Sellers AM, there are approximately 100 writers from Australia, New Zealand and around the world.
Christian Today Australia and Press Service International partnership
The agreement between Christian Today Australia and Press Service International allows articles published in Christian Today to be reproduced by any other publication provided acknowledgement is given to Christian Today.
This provides a wealth of material for a much wider range of publications, as well as providing opportunity and experience for younger writers, as well as senior writers. Under Mark’s oversight, there is a team of editors and co-ordinators who bring the articles to publication and co-ordinate all the activities. Over 200 people have contributed articles through PSI over the last 10 years.
PSI articles aim to follow Christian Today's motto from Matthew chapter 5 verse 37; "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes', and your 'No', 'No'’: straight forward writing with integrity. Young writers have been recruited from a wide range of backgrounds and countries and provide a range of viewpoints about everyday life and the ethical and theological issues of the day, and a helpful voice within the public Christianity arena in Australia and New Zealand.
Each year an annual conference and award event recognises excellence and has become a cornerstone of the professional development of the ministry.
Annual Conference venues
Gold Coast 2020 (and recently announced as venue for 2021)
Melbourne 2019
Christchurch 2018
Sunshine Coast 2017
Sydney 2016
Sydney 2015
Gold Coast 2014
Melbourne 2013
Vision
The culture of the Young Writers’ Program values unity in Christ, and the diversity of insights and experiences of each member.
Our desire is to live in the world with integrity, to witness to the light of Christ, and to follow Him as faithful disciples. We affirm Christian Today’s Statement of Faith, and interpret our role to be a Christian presence living out our faith through writing.
Our aim is to nurture a culture of development where young adults have the opportunity to mature in their writing and hone their voice. Providing editorial oversight and feedback fosters a mentoring community. Annual conferences allow us to grow and connect within our international writers’ network. We value excellence and celebrate the achievements of individual writers across the year, culminating in annual awards determined by a group of independent panellists.
The importance of a young ‘voice’
I have taught secondary students for nearly 28 years. They have produced oral and written assignments for me to be assessed. I believe I have given them many chances to have a voice and express their views- for assessment.
But where are the respected publications and avenues for these amazing young people to have a voice once they leave school?
Personal blogs?
YouTube?
Social media?
Churches?
This program is one such avenue for young writers (18-30 years of age) to have a voice in this ever-changing world. They deserve a chance to be heard.
Press Service International Young Writers Program acknowledged by prestigious ‘Gutenberg Award’
The Australasian Religious Press Association (ARPA) has as its premier award, The Gutenberg- awarded each year at its annual dinner.
The prestigious 2019 ARPA Gutenberg was awarded to the young writer ministry ‘Press Service International’ (in conjunction with Christian Today Australia) in Christchurch at a glittering awards presentation.
An incredible acknowledgment for an incredible program.
Contacts if interested or have enquiries
Russell Modlin is in his 30th year as a Secondary English and Physical Education Teacher. He has taught in Mackay, Brisbane, Alice Springs and currently on the Sunshine Coast. He is married to Belinda (26 years) and they have three sons- 2 have finished High School, 1 to go!
Russell Modlin’s archive of previous article can be found atwww.pressserviceinternational.org/russell-modlin.html