A Taste of GA—Commissioners’ Reflections – Miles Peterson

Miles Peterson (Young Adult Advisory Delgate)

My name is Miles Peterson and I was a Young Adult Advisory Delegate (YAAD) for the 224th General Assembly. This truly was an Assembly unlike any other.

As a first-ever YAAD, I was anxiously eager to see how the General Assembly would be conducted; though due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Assembly had to gather virtually. With the Assembly meeting online, it took a while for me to understand the aspects of Zoom because it was a program that I had never used before. I found it difficult to log into the program at the appropriate time. Technology is our friend, but it can also be our enemy as well.

Nevertheless, despite the battle I faced with Zoom, the General Assembly was very informative. I was amazed at the amount of work and dedication individuals put into making it possible. The takeaway that I got from attending was a double dose of information. On one hand, I was able to see the diverse leadership of the different presbyteries. I also was able to see that there are many young adults that have a burning dedication; not only to serve their church, but to serve God as well.

There were so many aspects of the assembly that will go down in history. One of them that piqued my interest was the assembly’s response to the George Floyd murder. The assembly did an amazing job at taking notice of this injustice and found a way for us to discuss it on this platform. Members of the Black community have been victims of racial injustice for many years; now however, people of other races and ethnicities have taken notice and are standing up to this injustice.

Though the General Assembly might be over, the work that the 224th General Assembly did will be remembered. I am so grateful to the Presbytery of Los Ranchos for giving me the opportunity to not only represent them at this level, but represent my church, New Hope Presbyterian as well. I am eager to see what the next General Assembly has in store and even more eager to see what God has in store for me as well.