Name: Bill Stikes
Role: Lay Delegate
Local Church: Griffin First UMC
Legislative Committee: Church and Society I
Q: This is your first General Conference. How did you prepare leading up to the session?
A: I have done lots of reading. I have done lots of praying, too. I’ve also talked with different people about what to expect. I’ll do my best to see where God is moving and to use the gifts I’ve been given to help the Church.
Q: What sort of advice did you receive from General Conference veterans?
A: To pray … and to get to the heart of the matter … and remember why the Church is here. We exist not because we are a great organization. We exist to spread the word of Jesus.
Q: What do you think will be challenging for you over the next two weeks?
A: I’m a first time delegate, so I don’t really know what to expect. The whole experience will be new. I think that I am prepared, but you never really know til you get there.
Q: You are one of the youngest North Georgia delegates, right?
A: Yes. I’m 26. I think I am the youngest.
Q: How do you feel about that?
A: It is such an honor for me. I am honored that the North Georgia Conference felt that I could represent them. I do feel a burden of responsibility to express the concerns and wishes of the young people of the conference. I guess I was surprised because there are so many people with more experience than me.
Q: What are you looking forward to over the next two weeks?
A: I’m looking forward to experiencing the diversity of the church, and listening to people’s stories. I’m looking forward to experiencing a shared mission and vision with others and experience how others … like people from Africa and Japan … are the hands of feet of Jesus.
Q: Two weeks is a long time to be away.
A: It is a long time, but I’m a school teacher, and I’ll be on Spring Break most of that time. I’ll only miss five days with my kids. So that really worked out well. I’m so happy for the responsibility to serve.
For more information on Bill, please find his bio here.