The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has called new mission presidents and companions for 14 missions in Europe. The new leadership couples began their three-year service on July 1. Their names, assignments and short biographies are listed below.
New Mission Leaders 01
The locations and number of new mission presidents and companions for 134 missions worldwide who began their three-year service on 1 July 2023. Graphic courtesy of Church News.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Adriatic North Mission
New Mission Leaders 02
Brian E. Cordray and Angelika Cordray, Adriatic North Mission Leaders.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Brian E. Cordray, 51, and Angelika Cordray, four children, Frankfurt 2nd Ward (English), Frankfurt Germany Stake: Adriatic North Mission, succeeding President Kevin C. Field and Sister Dianna M. Field. Brother Cordray is a Sunday School teacher and former stake president, high councilor, bishop, bishopric counselor, ward mission leader, seminary teacher, temple ordinance worker and missionary in the Austria Vienna Mission. He was born in Gatesville, Texas, to Allen L Cordray Jr. and Catherine Elizabeth Cordray.
Sister Cordray is a Sunday School teacher and former stake Young Women president, stake Primary president, stake Relief Society secretary, ward Relief Society president, ward Primary president, temple ordinance worker and missionary in the Germany Hamburg Mission. She was born in Munich, Germany, to Johann Friedrich Laur and Gabriele Maria Laur.
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Albania Tirana Mission |
New Mission Leaders 03
Michael Auras and Johanna Auras, Albania Tirana Mission Leaders.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Michael Auras, 48, and Johanna Auras, six children, Landshut Ward, Munich Germany Stake: Bulgaria/Central Eurasian Mission, succeeding President Samuel M. T. Koivisto and Sister Anna-Maria Koivisto. Brother Auras is an elders quorum president and former stake president, stake Young Men presidency counselor, branch president, branch presidency counselor, Sunday School teacher, seminary teacher, ward mission leader, temple ordinance worker and FSY session director. He was born in Erlangen, Germany, to Peter Auras and Elvira Auras.
Johanna Auras is a ward Young Women president and former stake Young Women presidency counselor, ward Primary president, ward Young Women president, branch Relief Society president, ward Primary presidency counselor, ward Young Women presidency counselor, branch Relief Society presidency counselor, Primary activity leader, seminary teacher and FSY session director. She was born in Landshut, Germany, to Friedrich Reisinger and Angelika Reisinger.
Alpine German-Speaking Mission
New Mission Leaders 04
Martin W. Bates and Donna Bates, Alpine German-Speaking Mission Leaders.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Martin W. Bates, 55, and Donna Bates, eight children, Yale Ward, Salt Lake Bonneville Stake: Alpine German-Speaking Mission, succeeding President Scott M. Naatjes and Sister Jodi T. Naatjes. Brother Bates is an elders quorum instructor and ward mission leader and former bishop, elders quorum president, ward Young Men president, ward Sunday School president, Sunday School teacher, Primary teacher, scoutmaster and missionary in the Germany Frankfurt Mission. He was born in Salt Lake City to Douglas Fetzer Bates and Eva-Maria Winter Bates.
Sister Bates is a Relief Society teacher and ward missionary and former stake Young Women presidency counselor, ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, Sunday School teacher, 11-year old scout leader and Primary music leader. She was born in The Dalles, Oregon, to Dallas George Graham and Sharon Lynn Graham.
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Bulgaria/Greece Mission |
New Mission Leaders 05
David A. Nelson and Emily Wood Nelson, Bulgaria/Greece Mission Leaders.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.David A. Nelson, 54, and Emily Wood Nelson, four children, Slate Canyon 10th Ward, Provo Utah Stake: Bulgaria/Greece Mission, succeeding President Samuel M. T. Koivisto and Sister Anna-Maria Koivisto. Brother Nelson has served as a high councilor, stake Young Men president, bishop, elders quorum president, ward Sunday School president, ward executive secretary, scoutmaster and missionary in Greece in the Austria Vienna East Mission. He was born in Pocatello, Idaho, to Lowell Allen Nelson and Rita Rae Evans Nelson.
Sister Nelson is a former ward Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Young Women presidency counselor, ward Primary presidency counselor, ward Relief Society compassionate service coordinator, Relief Society teacher, Activity Days leader, Primary teacher and ward missionary. She was born in Salt Lake City to Walter Rex Wood and Karen Edwards Wood.
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France Paris Mission  New Mission Leaders 06Ryan R. Munns and Heather A. Munns, France Paris Mission Leaders.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. |
Ryan R. Munns, 49, and Heather A. Munns, six children, Narcoossee Ward, St Cloud Florida Stake: France Paris Mission, succeeding President C. Michael Hansen and Sister Jeanne Hansen. Brother Munns is a mission presidency counselor and former stake president, high councilor, bishopric counselor, elders quorum president, ward Young Men president and missionary in the Switzerland Geneva Mission. He was born in Winter Park, Florida, to Ranier Farrell Munns and April Jo Cassell Munns.
Sister Munns is a ward Young Women presidency counselor and former stake Primary presidency counselor, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Primary presidency counselor, Primary music leader, Primary teacher and nursery leader. She was born in Provo, Utah, to Paul Flack Hintze and Patricia Anne Porter Hintze.
Germany Frankfurt Mission
New Mission Leaders 07
Douglas P. Cropper and Lynne G. Cropper, Germany Frankfurt Mission Leaders.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Douglas P. Cropper, 63, and Lynne G. Cropper, four children, River Bend Ward, Davenport Iowa Stake: Germany Frankfurt Mission, succeeding President Dan J. Hammon and Sister Debbie J. Hammon. Brother Cropper is a Gospel Doctrine teacher and former stake president, high councilor, stake executive secretary, bishop, bishopric counselor, ward Young Men president and missionary in the Germany Hamburg Mission. He was born in Salt Lake City to Paul Kent Cropper and Deon E Cropper.
Sister Cropper is an institute teacher and ward temple and family history consultant and former ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Young Women camp director, seminary teacher and regional Public Affairs director. She was born in Salt Lake City to Lloyd Alfred Gorton and Mildred Joan Gorton.
Hungary Budapest Mission
New Mission Leaders 08
Chet J. Wall and Kristy Wall, Hungary Budapest Mission Leaders.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Chet J. Wall, 46, and Kristy Wall, four children, Stone Cliff Ward, St George Utah Boulder Ridge Stake: Hungary Budapest Mission, succeeding President Justin C. Rucker and Sister Lori Rucker. Brother Wall is a former stake presidency counselor, stake clerk, bishop, elders quorum president, ward Young Men president, ward Young Men presidency counselor, Young Men adviser, Sunday School teacher and missionary in the Hungary Budapest Mission. He was born in Murray, Utah, to James Clair Wall and Joan Clegg Wall.
Sister Wall is a former stake Primary president, ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, Relief Society teacher and Cub Scout leader. She was born in Portland, Oregon, to Ben Wayne Gardner and Kathy Beeson Gardner.
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Poland Warsaw Mission |
New Mission Leaders 09
Gregory D. Roney and Christine Roney, Poland Warsaw Mission Leaders.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Gregory D. Roney, 48, and Christine Roney, four children, Tall Cedars Ward, Gainesville Virginia Stake: Poland Warsaw Mission, succeeding President David L. Chandler and Sister Stacy A. Chandler. Brother Roney is a former stake presidency counselor, stake youth conference director, bishop, branch president, elders quorum president, ward Young Men president, seminary teacher and missionary in the Poland Warsaw Mission. He was raised in Newport Beach, California, by his parents, Arden Ensley Roney and Carolyn Bethers Roney.
Sister Roney is a Young Women adviser and former stake youth conference chair, ward Young Women assistant camp director, Relief Society teacher, Gospel Principles teacher, Sunday School teacher, Primary teacher, nursery leader, ward music chair and Activity Days leader. She was raised in Mission Viejo, California, by her parents, Jon Sivert Holmgren and Mickey Burden Holmgren.
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România Bucharest Mission (New) |
New Mission Leaders 10
Geoffrey R. Fowler and Roseanna C. Fowler, România Bucharest Mission Leaders.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Geoffrey R. Fowler, 47, and Roseanna C. Fowler, five children, Oakley 1st Ward, Antioch California Stake: the new România Bucharest Mission. Brother Fowler is a stake presidency counselor and former high councilor, bishop, bishopric counselor, scoutmaster and missionary in the România Bucharest Mission. He was born in Seattle, Washington, to Dennis Lee Fowler and Kathryn Ann Fowler.
Sister Fowler is a ward Primary presidency counselor and temple ordinance worker and former ward Primary president, ward Young Women presidency counselor, Young Women adviser, Primary pianist, Activity Days leader and seminary teacher. She was born in Harbor City, California, to William Robert Croasdale Sr. and Woglinde Christine Croasdale.
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Spain Barcelona Mission |
New Mission Leaders 11
Frank Heckmann and Maria Heckmann, Spain Barcelona Mission Leaders.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Frank Heckmann, 64, and Maria Heckmann, seven children, Heidelberg 2nd Ward (Spanish), Heidelberg Germany Stake: Spain Barcelona Mission, succeeding President Juan Pablo Villar and Sister Carola Villar. Brother Heckmann is a mission presidency counselor and former high councilor, public affairs director, stake Young Men presidency counselor, branch president, bishopric counselor, ward mission leader, institute teacher, seminary teacher, temple ordinance worker and missionary in the Switzerland Zürich Mission. He was born in Heidelberg, Germany, to Heinrich Friedrich Heckmann and Ruth Heckmann.
Sister Heckmann is a ward Relief Society president and former stake Primary presidency counselor, public affairs specialist, institute teacher, seminary teacher, ward missionary, temple ordinance worker and missionary in the Spain Barcelona Mission. She was born in Cadiz, Spain, to Francisco Marin Miranda and Cristobalina Aragon Sanchez.
Baltic Mission
New Mission Leaders 12
Antti Makslahti-Tolstosheev and Skaistė Makslahti-Tolstosheev, Baltic Mission Leaders.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Antti Makslahti-Tolstosheev, 46, and Skaistė Makslahti-Tolstosheev, three children, Šiauliai Branch, Vilnius Lithuania District: Baltic Mission, succeeding President Roy B. Huff and Sister Jeanna Hayward Huff. Brother Makslahti-Tolstosheev is a district presidency counselor, branch president and temple and family history consultant, and former district single adult adviser, branch presidency counselor, branch clerk and missionary in the Russia Moscow Mission. He was born in St. Peterburg, Russia, to Juri and Irina.
Sister Makslahti-Tolstosheev is a public affairs director and branch Relief Society president and former seminary teacher, branch Young Women president and branch Primary president. She was born in Šiauliai, Lithuania, to Virginijus and Irena.
Cape Verde Praia Mission
New Mission Leaders 13
Scott R. Labrum and Mindi Labrum, Cape Verde Praia Mission Leaders.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Scott R. Labrum, 56, and Mindi Labrum, four children, Castle Dale 3rd Ward, Castle Dale Utah Stake: Cape Verde Praia Mission, succeeding President David J. Wunderli and Sister Diane Wunderli. Brother Labrum is a former stake presidency counselor, stake executive secretary, stake Young Men president, bishop, bishopric counselor, scoutmaster, ward mission leader and missionary in the Brazil Brasilia Mission. He was born in Murray, Utah, to Ross Nichols Labrum and Linda Edmunds Labrum.
Sister Mindi Labrum is a Young Women adviser and For the Strength of Youth representative and former stake Young Women camp director, ward Young Women president, ward Young Women presidency counselor, ward Primary presidency counselor, Gospel Doctrine teacher and ward missionary. She was born in Granger, Utah, to Ted R Anderson and Shirley Ann Anderson.
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Finland Helsinki Mission |
New Mission Leaders 14
Juha Lehtinen and Ulla Lehtinen, Finland Helsinki Mission Leaders.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Juha Lehtinen, 68, and Ulla Lehtinen, four children, Helsinki 2nd Ward, Helsinki Finland Stake: Finland Helsinki Mission, succeeding President Ville Kervinen and Sister Leena Kervinen. Brother Lehtinen is a mission presidency counselor and former stake presidency counselor, stake Young Men president, bishop, bishopric counselor, high priests group leader, Church service missionary specialist and missionary in the Finland Helsinki Mission. He was born in Imatra, Finland, to Esko Mauno Lehtinen and Kirsti Marjatta Lehtinen.
Sister Lehtinen is a ward Relief Society presidency counselor and ward historian and former stake Primary presidency counselor, ward Relief Society president, ward Young Women presidency counselor, Church service missionary specialist and Gospel Doctrine teacher. She was born in Turku, Finland, to Heikki Uusitalo and Liisa Uusitalo.
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Sweden Stockholm Mission |
New Mission Leaders 15
J. Gregory Lake, 61, and Lisa Saunders Lake, Sweden Stockholm Mission Leaders.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.J. Gregory Lake, 61, and Lisa Saunders Lake, four children, Constellation Ward, Gilbert Arizona Highland West Stake: Sweden Stockholm Mission, succeeding President Robert L. Davis and Sister Tiffany L. Davis. Brother and Sister Lake are former senior missionaries in the Sweden Stockholm Mission. He is a former bishop, YSA bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, ward Young Men president, ward mission leader, Sunday School teacher, institute teacher, temple ordinance worker and missionary in the Sweden Stockholm Mission. He was born in Salt Lake City to Jack Smith Lake and Marie Barlow Lake.
Sister Lake is a ward Relief Society presidency counselor and former stake Young Women presidency counselor, stake Primary presidency counselor, ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Young Women presidency counselor, ward Primary presidency counselor, Young Women adviser, Cub Scout leader and temple ordinance worker. She was born in Logan, Utah, to Reed W Saunders and Barbara Cook Saunders.