GA06042

Youth Advisory Delegates

Fisher, Wood elected to serve as co-moderators of YAD caucus

By Rachael Whaley

BIRMINGHAM, June 17 — Look out Joan Gray, you may have some competition.

Justin Wood, a political science and business major at West Virginia University, and Christy Fisher, a recent graduate of the University of Puget Sound with a degree in political theory, were the two Youth Advisory Delegates (YADs) elected Friday to serve as co-moderators of the YAD caucus.

Among their new duties, the two lead daily YAD caucus meetings, assign other YADs to pray for the larger General Assembly, and are "leaders in whatever capacity we want to be leaders," Wood said. 

The two are excited and dedicated to their new positions, and ready to start "affirming people in their gifts," according to Fisher. 

Like their peers, the new co-moderators are hard at work in committee meetings and are fiercely dedicated to their duties while maintaining a positive attitude.

"I'm on the most Presbyterian committee, the committee on permanent committees," an observant Wood joked. 

Both of the YADs have collegiate-level experience in the study of politics.

"Seeing the inner workings of the church is a lot like how the United States government works," Wood said. He added that after watching the process in action the past few days, "It's good to see how expansive the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is." 

When asked about her plans to attend seminary, Fisher said her experience at the General Assembly has been beneficial. "You get to see the inner politics of the church," Fisher said, "but being a YAD has made me fall more in love with the body of Christ."