Service Missionaries

“As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Christlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger. We become happier, more peaceful, and more receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.”

(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “You Are My Hands,” April 2010 general conference)

young church-service missionaries

Men and women with a wide range of talents and abilities may choose to contribute to the divine work of the Lord by serving at a Church welfare facility as a service missionary.

Who may serve?

  • Worthy single men ages 18-25 and worthy single women ages 19-25 who have been honorably excused from serving a full-time proselytizing mission for health reasons or other considerations are eligible.
  • A young full-time missionary who has returned home involuntarily due to accident, illness, or other similar conditions is eligible to serve as a service missionary to complete their missionary service.
young church-service sister missionary

 

How long is a welfare service missionary called to serve?

  • Service missionaries serve as close to full-time as their capabilities and situations allow and usually serve for 18-24 months, although shorter terms are possible. It is important to explore available welfare opportunities, as some assignments may require particular skills, abilities, or aptitudes.

 

Are there mission rules to follow?

  • Mission rules are similar to those for full-time proselyting missionaries.
  • Each service missionary is expected to follow the standards of the welfare facility where they are called to serve.
  • Daily dress will depend on the type of service provided, but on Sundays, missionaries wear Sunday dress and their missionary name badges.

 

What makes this mission experience unique?

  • A service missionary usually lives at home, provides their own transportation, and pays their own living, medical, and other expenses.
  • Senior welfare missionary couples are there to help guide the younger missionaries in gospel study, in leadership classes, in enrichment activities, and in their welfare assignments.
  • The blessings that come from serving at a welfare facility are amazing!
young church-service-missionary

“Have you noticed that such individuals have a brighter smile? Their footsteps are more certain. There is an aura of contentment and satisfaction—even dedication—for one cannot participate in helping others without experiencing a rich blessing himself” (Thomas S. Monson, “Rotary International Message,” Little America Hotel, Nov. 20, 1997).

 

 

 

Missionary Moments

young church-service missionary

Service Missionaries: Something Everyone Can Contribute

Service Missionaries: Welfare Square

 

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