The Church of Jesus Christ adds Africa to 55 new global missions
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is preparing to open 55 new missions globally, 16 of which will be in Africa. Once implemented, operations will begin on July 1, 2026, bringing the church’s total mission to 506, the largest figure in the church’s history.
Back in 2023, the church reported more than 72,000 full-time missionaries and added 36 missions, elevating the count to 450. The upcoming changes will build on that momentum by altering the boundaries of current missions to accommodate a rising tide of volunteers and enrich local congregations globally.
Missionary participation hovered just above 65,000 at the end of 2022, but rose to nearly 72,000 by the close of 2023, and now stands beyond 84,000. These individuals serve in over 150 countries and share teachings in more than 60 languages.
Church President Dallin H. Oaks praised the commitment of young members who volunteer to proclaim the gospel. He emphasized that their work results in hundreds of thousands of baptisms annually, positively affecting many lives through church involvement.
“It is inspiring to see the number of young Church members who continue to answer the call to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world,” he said.
Elder Quentin L. Cook, who serves in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and leads the Missionary Executive Council, noted the unique contributions each missionary makes to people they teach and help with the restored gospel. He said the additional missions will create better balance in personnel distribution, allowing leaders to offer improved mentoring and assistance.
“These additional missions help to balance the number of missionaries in each mission, allowing mission leaders to better support and mentor the missionaries they lead,” he affirmed. The development was announced in an October 24 statement on the church’s website.
In the Africa Central Area, new missions will include DR Congo Kinshasa North, DR Congo Mwene-Ditu, Kenya Kisumu, and Uganda Kampala East. For the Africa South Area, the list covers Angola Luanda North, Malawi Lilongwe, Mozambique Nampula, South Africa East London, and Zimbabwe Harare West.
The Africa West Area will gain Cote d’Ivoire Abidjan South, Cote d’Ivoire Daloa, Ghana Accra South, Ghana Sunyani, Liberia Monrovia West, Senegal Dakar, and Togo Lomé.
In the Asia North Area, Mongolia Ulaanbaatar West is planned. The Brazil Area will see Brazil Guarulhos, Brazil São Bernardo, and Brazil Sorocaba. Canada Area additions consist of Canada Halifax and Canada Toronto East.
Within the Europe Central Area, France Paris South, Greece Athens, and Spain Madrid East are set.The Europe North Area will feature Cape Verde Mindelo. Mexico Area plans include México Tula. For the Pacific Area, the missions are Australia Brisbane South, Papua New Guinea Daru, Papua New Guinea Madang, Samoa Apia East, and Solomon Islands Honiara.
The Philippines Area will expand with Philippines Lingayen, Philippines Lipa, Philippines Ormoc, Philippines Ozamiz, and Philippines Puerto Princesa. In the South America Northwest Area, Perú Lima Northwest and Perú Tacna are listed.
The South America South Area includes Paraguay Asunción South and Uruguay Salto.United States Central Area will have Missouri Kansas City and Wyoming Cheyenne. For the United States Northeast Area, Indiana Fort Wayne and Virginia Norfolk are designated. The United States Southeast Area adds Mississippi Jackson.
In the United States Southwest Area, the new missions are Arizona Phoenix East, Oklahoma Tulsa, Texas Dallas North, Texas Houston North, and Texas San Antonio South. Finally, the United States West Area will include California Oceanside, California Ontario, California Victorville, and Idaho Coeur d’Alene.
Written by Oral Ofori
Oral Ofori is Founder and Publisher at www.TheAfricanDream.net, a digital storyteller and producer, and also an information and research consultant.
