2019 Mission Presidents Called to Italy, Brazil, Nigeria, and More
The First Presidency has called 164 new mission presidents and companions who will begin service in July 2019.
The following new mission presidents and their wives have been called by the First Presidency. They will begin their service in July 2019. Biographies of other mission presidency couples will be published throughout 2019 on news.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. (See other published biographies.)
Timothy L. and Paula A. Barney
Guatemala Antigua Mission (newly created)
Timothy L. Barney, 51, and Paula A. Barney, four children, Valley View 9th Ward, Salt Lake Holladay North Stake: Guatemala Antigua Mission (newly created).
Brother Barney is a stake presidency counselor and a former bishop, high councilor, bishopric counselor, ward Young Men president, and missionary in the Chile Santiago South Mission. He was born in Provo, Utah, to Lawrence Hall Barney and Erlene Child Barney.
Sister Barney is a ward Relief Society presidency counselor and a former ward Primary president, ward Young Women presidency counselor, and missionary in the Netherlands Amsterdam Mission. She was born in Salt Lake City to Parry A Peterson and Lavon Wright Peterson.
Bart D. and Gail H. Browning
Italy Milan Mission
Bart D. Browning, 62, and Gail H. Browning, three children, Twin Falls 15th Ward, Twin Falls Idaho Stake: Italy Milan Mission, succeeding President Kent J. Allen and Sister Reneé Allen.
Brother Browning is a former stake presidency counselor, stake Young Men president, stake single adult representative, high councilor, bishopric counselor, elders quorum president, Sunday School teacher, and missionary in the Italy Rome Mission. He was born in Pocatello, Idaho, to Lloyd Duncan Browning and Natalie Anne Wells Browning.
Sister Browning is a former stake and ward Young Women president, stake Young Women presidency counselor, stake single adult representative, Young Women adviser, ward Primary presidency counselor, Relief Society compassionate service coordinator, and Primary music leader. She was born in Pocatello, Idaho, to Gerald Ezra Hawkes and Dorcas Ann Green Hawkes.
Michelle P. and Darwin S. Cauilan
Philippines Cavite Mission
Darwin S. Cauilan, 48, and Michelle P. Cauilan, six children, Iligan 3rd Ward, Iligan Philippines Stake: Philippines Cavite Mission, succeeding President Aaron B. Speirs and Sister Pamela Speirs.
Brother Cauilan is a stake presidency counselor and a former mission presidency counselor, bishop, branch presidency counselor, and missionary in the Philippines Cebu Mission. He was born in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Philippines, to Juan Cordon Cauilan and Juliet Serrano Somera Cauilan.
Sister Cauilan is a ward Primary presidency counselor and Sunday School teacher and a former stake Relief Society and Young Women presidency counselor, ward Relief Society and Young Women presidency counselor, and missionary in the Philippines Cebu Mission. She was born in Olongapo City, Zambales, Philippines, to Normando Catudioc and Concepcion Brucelo Perfecto Boettcher.
Soraia and Saul S. Duarte
Brazil Curitiba Mission
Saul S. Duarte, 41, and Soraia Duarte, two children, Alphaville Ward, Alphaville Brazil Stake: Brazil Curitiba Mission, succeeding President Douglas K. Hart and Sister Cheri Hart.
Brother Duarte is an elders quorum president and a former high councilor, stake Young Men presidency counselor, bishopric counselor, regional welfare agent, ward Young Men president, seminary teacher, and missionary in the Brazil Marilia Mission. He was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Saul Rodrigues Duarte and Raymunda Cezith Moreira da Cunha Scattolini Rodrigues Duarte.
Sister Duarte is a seminary teacher and a former ward Primary president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, institute teacher, and missionary in the Brazil Marilia Mission. She was born in Juiz de Fora, Brazil, to Mauricio Teixeira Coelho and Maria Aparecida Coelho.
Verne M. and Shawny Ernst
Kansas Wichita Mission
Verne M. Ernst, 59, and Shawny Ernst, four children, Johns Creek Ward, Roswell Georgia Stake: Kansas Wichita Mission, succeeding President Mitchell D. McCuistion and Sister Pamela McCuistion.
Brother Ernst is a former stake president, stake presidency counselor, bishop, high councilor, bishopric counselor, temple ordinance worker, and missionary in the Indiana Indianapolis Mission. He was born in Norwalk, California, to Marvin Charles Ernst and Sharon Lynne Floe Ernst.
Sister Ernst is a Primary music leader and a former stake Primary presidency counselor, ward Young Women president and presidency counselor, seminary teacher, and missionary in the Perú Lima North Mission. She was born in Mildenhall, England, to Neal F Christensen and Lois Ann Christensen.
Armando and Graciela Flores de Maldonado
México Pachuca Mission
Armando Maldonado, 60, and Graciela Flores de Maldonado, four children, Oceania Ward, Saltillo México Valle de las Flores Stake: México Pachuca Mission, succeeding President Jeff D. Kimball and Sister Tracy S. Kimball.
Brother Maldonado is a stake president and a former stake presidency counselor, stake executive secretary, bishop, high councilor, and elders quorum president. He was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, México, to Domingo Maldonado Ramírez and Adelfa Benavides de Maldonado.
Sister Maldonado is a Sunday School teacher and a former ward Primary president; ward Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary presidency counselor; Primary teacher; institute teacher; and temple ordinance worker. She was born in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, México, to Marcos Flores Zapiain and Wenceslada Reyes Galindo.
Richard M. and Laurie N. Marsh
Perú Arequipa Mission
Richard M. Marsh, 61, and Laurie N. Marsh, six children, Meadows Ward, Murray Utah South Stake: Perú Arequipa Mission, succeeding President Douglas R. Johnson and Sister Camille Johnson.
Brother Marsh is a self-reliance specialist and a former stake president, bishop, high councilor, stake mission preparation instructor, elders quorum president, and missionary in the Ecuador Quito Mission. He was born in Dallas, Texas, to Howard John Marsh and Virginia Moyle Marsh.
Sister Marsh is a nursery music leader and a former stake Relief Society secretary; stake Primary president; ward Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary president; and ward Relief Society presidency counselor. She was born in Salt Lake City to Russell M. Nelson and Dantzel White Nelson.
Alvin Frazier and Jennifer Edgin Meredith
Utah Salt Lake City South Mission
Alvin Frazier Meredith III, 48, and Jennifer Edgin Meredith, six children, Sembawang Ward, Singapore Stake: Utah Salt Lake City South Mission, succeeding President J. Christopher Lansing and Sister Erlynn E. Lansing.
Brother Meredith is a Sunday School teacher and a former Area Seventy, stake president, mission presidency counselor, bishop, and missionary in the Utah Salt Lake City Mission. He was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Alvin Frazier Meredith Jr. and Mary Read Smartt Meredith.
Sister Meredith is a Young Women adviser and a former ward Primary presidency counselor, Relief Society teacher, Sunday School teacher, and missionary in the Argentina Salta Mission. She was born in Columbia, South Carolina, to Gordon Ray Edgin and Cheryl Denise Jensen Edgin.
Albert and Melion Mutariswa
Nigeria Enugu Mission
Albert Mutariswa, 53, and Melion Mutariswa, four children, Mabelreign Ward, Harare Zimbabwe Stake: Nigeria Enugu Mission, succeeding President Francis O. Nmeribe and Sister Ada U. Nmeribe.
Brother Mutariswa is a Zimbabwe Harare Mission presidency counselor and a former stake president, stake presidency counselor, bishop, bishopric counselor, and elders quorum president. He was born in Bindura, Mashonaland Central, Zimbabwe, to Arnold Usavi Manhombo and Rosemary Mucherengi.
Sister Mutariswa is a Relief Society teacher and a former ward Primary presidency counselor. She was born in Murehwa, Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe, to Eliah Kandunya Muza and Estery Chidziva.
J. Scott and Shiree Parker Nixon
Brazil Fortaleza East Mission
J. Scott Nixon, 59, and Shiree Parker Nixon, four children, Kaysville 12th Ward, Kaysville Utah Crestwood Stake: Brazil Fortaleza East Mission, succeeding President Ricardo C. Leite and Sister Cristiane C. Leite. Brother and Sister Nixon were recently released as assistant directors of Church hosting.
Brother Nixon is a former high councilor, ward Young Men president and adviser, MTC branch presidency member, and missionary in the Portugal Lisbon Mission. He was born in Provo, Utah, to Ezra John Nixon Jr. and Charlotte Macdonald Nixon.
Sister Nixon is a former ward Relief Society and Primary president, stake Relief Society presidency counselor, and Sunday School teacher. She was born in Logan, Utah, to Jon Stauffer Parker and Ronda Kay Mathews Parker.
Heather Ann and Scott R Palmer
Colorado Fort Collins Mission
Scott R Palmer, 49, and Heather Ann Palmer, five children, Greenfield 3rd Ward, Chandler Arizona East Stake: Colorado Fort Collins Mission, succeeding President Sean S. McMurray and Sister Kristin K. McMurray.
Brother Palmer is a ward Young Men presidency counselor and a former stake president, stake presidency counselor, bishop, high councilor, ward Young Men president, and missionary in the England Leeds Mission. He was born in Tucson, Arizona, to Rodney Dean Palmer and Mary Joyce Maynard Palmer.
Sister Palmer is a ward Relief Society president and a former stake Young Women presidency counselor, ward Primary president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, and Primary teacher. She was born in Pocatello, Idaho, to Walter Jay Tranmer and Nancy Ann Hilmo.
Juanita and Gary J. Severson
México México City North Mission
Gary J. Severson, 58, and Juanita Severson, six children, Central Park Ward, Bentonville Arkansas Stake: México México City North Mission, succeeding President Alfonso Urrea Gutiérrez and Sister Cynthia Thompson de Urrea. Elder and Sister Severson are senior missionaries in the England London Mission.
Elder Severson is a former stake presidency counselor, mission presidency counselor, bishop, ward Young Men president, and missionary in the Guatemala Quetzaltenango Mission. He was born in Sacramento, California, to Harold James Severson and Margene Wanlass Severson.
Sister Severson is a former stake Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Young Women president, ward Relief Society and Young Women presidency counselor, nursery leader, and ward missionary. She was born in Salt Lake City to Merrill Ray Chandler and LaVerne Chandler.
Howard N. and Lisa Sorensen
Michigan Detroit Mission
Howard N. Sorensen, 62, and Lisa Sorensen, five children, Oakley 1st Ward, Kamas Utah Stake: Michigan Detroit Mission, succeeding President Larry Cleveland and Sister Jennifer Cleveland.
Brother Sorensen is a stake presidency counselor and a former high councilor, bishop, bishopric counselor, ward Young Men president, and missionary in the Perú Lima Mission. He was born in Salt Lake City to Maynard Melville Sorensen and Leonora Nelson Sorensen.
Sister Sorensen is a Young Women adviser and a former ward Young Women and Primary president, ward Primary presidency counselor, Relief Society teacher, and ward choir director. She was born in Salt Lake City to Gerald Leland Whittaker and Margaret Angeline Whittaker.
Stephanie L. and Jason J. Tveten
Texas San Antonio Mission
Jason J. Tveten, 49, and Stephanie L. Tveten, five children, Castlerock Ward, Wenatchee Washington Stake: Texas San Antonio Mission, succeeding President Todd B. Polley and Sister DoraLea Stapley Polley.
Brother Tveten is a stake presidency counselor and a former bishop, high councilor, ward clerk, and missionary in the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission. He was born in Olympia, Washington, to Jan Thyge Tveten and Ruth Lorraine Dahle Tveten.
Sister Tveten is a ward Primary president and a former ward Primary presidency counselor, Relief Society teacher, and missionary in the Texas Houston Mission. She was born in Portland, Oregon, to Ronald Irvin Oldroyd and Cathy May Watters Oldroyd.
Terry E. and Cyrrena Welch
Philippines Quezon City Mission
Terry E. Welch, 55, and Cyrrena Welch, six children, Farmington 11th Ward, Farmington Utah South Stake: Philippines Quezon City Mission, succeeding President David J. Koster and Sister Mary G. Koster.
Brother Welch is a ward Young Men secretary and a former stake president, bishop, high councilor, bishopric counselor, and missionary in the Japan Sapporo Mission. He was born in Logan, Utah, to Thomas Nash Welch and Wanee Israelsen.
Sister Welch is a Primary teacher and a former ward Young Women president, ward Primary presidency counselor, Young Women adviser, and Cub Scout leader. She was born in Salt Lake City to Elmer Leon Haward and Bonnie Fern Packer.
Clark and Jennifer Whitworth
México Villahermosa Mission
Clark Whitworth, 59, and Jennifer Whitworth, five children, Porter Lane 2nd Ward, Centerville Utah South Stake: México Villahermosa Mission, succeeding President Kasey N. Haws and Sister Julia W. Haws.
Brother Whitworth is a YSA stake presidency counselor and a former bishop, bishopric counselor, ward Young Men president, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and missionary in the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission. He was born in Salt Lake City to Leon Charles Whitworth and Elinor Bosley Whitworth.
Sister Whitworth is a Primary teacher and a former ward Primary president and ward Relief Society and Young Women presidency counselor. She was born in Logan, Utah, to Chester Hal Rasmussen and Janette Bailey Wyatt Rasmussen.
