Full Breakdown
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Announces 55 New Missions
10/24/2025, 8:00:54 PM
Expansion of Missionary Efforts
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the creation of 55 new missions worldwide, effective July 1, 2026. This expansion will increase the total number of missions to 506, marking the highest number in the Church's history. The decision comes in response to a significant rise in the number of young members choosing to serve full-time missions, with current missionary numbers exceeding 84,000, up from approximately 65,000 at the end of 2022.
Rationale Behind the New Missions
The new missions will be established by adjusting the boundaries of existing missions, allowing for better support of the growing number of congregations globally. President Dallin H. Oaks stated, “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 emphasized that these missionaries are positively impacting the lives of many individuals who choose to be baptized into the Church.
Elder Quentin L. Cook, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, noted that the additional missions will help balance the distribution of missionaries, enabling mission leaders to provide better support and mentorship. He remarked, “It’s a blessing to see how each missionary contributes to the individuals they teach and serve.”
Geographic Distribution of New Missions
The new missions will be distributed across various regions, with a notable concentration in Africa and the United States. Specifically, the Church plans to establish:
- Africa (16 missions): DR Congo Kinshasa North, DR Congo Mwene-Ditu, Kenya Kisumu, Uganda Kampala, Angola Luanda North, Malawi Lilongwe, Mozambique Nampula, South Africa East London, Zimbabwe Harare, Cote d’Ivoire Abidjan South, Cote d’Ivoire Daloa, Ghana Accra South, Ghana Sunyani, Liberia Monrovia West, Senegal Dakar, Togo Lomé.
- United States (14 missions): Missouri Kansas City, Wyoming Cheyenne, Indiana Fort Wayne, Virginia Norfolk, Mississippi Jackson, Arizona Phoenix East, Oklahoma Tulsa, Texas Dallas North, Texas Houston North, Texas San Antonio South, California Oceanside, California Ontario, California Victorville, Idaho Coeur d’Alene.
- Philippines (5 missions): Lingayen, Lipa, Ormoc, Ozamiz, Puerto Princesa.
- Brazil (3 missions): Guarulhos, São Bernardo, Sorocaba.
- Canada (2 missions): Halifax, Toronto East.
- Europe (4 missions): France Paris South, Greece Athens, Spain Madrid.
- South America (4 missions): Lima Northwest, Tacna, Asunción, Salto.
- Asia (1 mission): Mongolia Ulaanbaatar.
Broader Implications
The announcement of these new missions reflects the Church's ongoing commitment to expanding its global outreach and accommodating the increasing number of missionaries. This growth is particularly significant in regions like Africa, where the Church has seen rapid membership increases. The Church reported adding over 308,000 converts in 2024, the highest in nearly three decades, indicating a robust growth trajectory.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Oaks said, “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.” — Dallin H. Oaks, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- “Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who chairs the Church’s Missionary Executive Council, said, “It’s a blessing to see how each missionary contributes to the individuals they teach and serve as they share the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.” — Elder Quentin L. Cook, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
The establishment of these new missions is poised to enhance the Church's ability to serve its members and reach new congregations, further solidifying its presence in diverse communities around the world.
