Young Adults Contribute to Synod 2017
From left, Onalee Sneller, Joelle Wilhelm, Izhar Alvarez, Jehvon Walker, and Kristy Bootsma.
Karen Huttenga
Synod 2017 included many different types of voices, including five young adult representatives. Onalee Sneller, Joelle Wilhelm, Izhar Alvarez, Jehvon Walker, and Kristy Bootsma
“It’s honoring and humbling to be welcomed into the nitty-gritty of the denomination,” said 20-year-old Sneller, the only young adult representative who had served at a previous synod. “It speaks to the efforts the denomination is making to have minority voices here--it speaks volumes.”
“It’s been a very big experience to find out how the Christian Reformed Church works behind the scenes,” said Joelle Wilhelm, 18. “I’ve learned so much as I’ve been meeting and talking to people.”
For Jehvon Walker, 21, of Nashville, Tennessee, Synod was a “completely new experience,” beginning with his first time flying in an airplane.
The young adult representatives do not have a vote at synod, but are permitted to speak to the assembly and contribute to the conversation. Many also participated in the times of worship by offering dramatic readings, scripture reading and prayer.
For continuous coverage of Synod 2017 including the live webcast, news, video recordings, photos, liveblog, social media links, and more visit www.crcna.org/synod.
