Callings

New mission leaders called to serve in Maryland, Mexico, the Philippines and more

They will begin their service in July

By Church News Staff Feb 17, 2023 9 a.m. EST

President Dallin H. Oaks shares counsel with new mission leaders during the 2022 Seminar for New Mission Leaders on June 25, 2022, in Provo, Utah. Several members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles joined him for the annual event.

Callings

New mission leaders called to serve in Maryland, Mexico, the Philippines and more

They will begin their service in July

By Church News Staff Feb 17, 2023 9 a.m. EST

The following new mission presidents and companions have been called to serve by the First Presidency. They will begin their service in July.

W. Scott Albrecht, 51, and Megan G. Albrecht, four children, Beacon Hill Ward, Cedar City Utah North Stake: Philippines Olongapo Mission, succeeding President Steven R. Colton and Sister Jeri C. Colton. Brother Albrecht is a stake president and former YSA bishop, high councilor, stake Young Men president, ward Young Men president, scoutmaster, nursery leader and missionary in the Nashville Tennessee Mission. He was born in Salt Lake City to William Steve Albrecht and LeAnn Marie Albrecht.

Sister Albrecht is a ward Young Women presidency counselor and temple ordinance worker and former ward Relief Society president, ward Primary presidency counselor, Primary music leader and Activity Days leader. She was born in Rexburg, Idaho, to Norman J Gage and Diane Gage.

Elder Alvarado, 45, and Celeste Aída Alvarado, three children, Torocagua Ward, Comayagüela Honduras Torocagua Stake: México Veracruz Mission, succeeding President Mark J. Wiest and Sister Dana C. Wiest. Brother Alvarado is a Young Men adviser and former stake president, stake presidency counselor, high councilor, stake executive secretary, bishopric counselor, institute teacher and missionary in the Nicaragua Managua Mission. He was born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, to German Alvarado Montenegro and Gracila Escoto Maradiaga.

Sister Alvarado is a stake choir director and institute teacher and former ward Young Women president, ward Young Women presidency counselor, Young Women adviser, seminary teacher and missionary in the Guatemala Quetzaltenango Mission. She was born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, to Victor Manuel Diaz Baquedano and Maria Francis Estrada Funez.

Robert J. Brigham, 61, and Patricia Brigham, four children, Redwood City 1st Ward, Menlo Park California Stake: Maryland Baltimore Mission, succeeding President Robert Nye and Sister Jan Nye. Brother Brigham is a JustServe specialist and former high councilor, stake Young Men president, stake mission presidency counselor, bishop, bishopric counselor, ward mission leader, elders quorum president, seminary teacher and missionary in the Tennessee Nashville Mission. He was born in Redwood City, California, to Samuel Townsend Jack Brigham III and Judith Catherine Brigham.

Sister Brigham is a temple ordinance worker and former stake Young Women presidency counselor, stake Primary presidency counselor, stake Young Women camp counselor, ward Relief Society president, ward Young Women president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, Young Women adviser and Primary teacher. She was born in Heidelberg, Germany, to William Blythe Orrock and Cherryle Steed Orrock.

David T. Brockbank, 48, and Heather Brockbank, five children, Lehi 28th Ward, Lehi Utah North Stake: Ohio Columbus Mission, succeeding President Jason J Horgesheimer and Sister Kristi Alldredge Horgesheimer. Brother Brockbank is a former bishop, bishopric counselor, ward Young Men president, ward mission leader and missionary in the Russia Samara Mission. He was born in Salt Lake City to Stephen Merrill Brockbank and Virginia Brockbank.

Sister Brockbank is a ward digital missionary and former ward Relief Society president, ward Primary presidency counselor, Young Women adviser, Gospel Doctrine teacher, ward choir director and missionary in the Ukraine Donetsk Mission. She was born in Downey, California, to Paul Orlan Jacobson and Ila Valene Jacobson.

Oliva Cowley, 50, and Rebecca Cowley, five children, Koromatua Ward, Temple View New Zealand Stake: Ethiopia Addis Ababa Mission, succeeding President Robert J. Dudfield and Sister Darice B. Dudfield. Brother Cowley is a mission presidency counselor and former stake presidency counselor, bishop, bishopric counselor, seminary teacher and missionary in the New Zealand Wellington Mission. He was born in Tokoroa, New Zealand, to Ike Oliver Cowley and Margaret Wihongi Cowley.

Sister Cowley is a seminary teacher and former stake Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Young Women president, Young Women adviser and Relief Society compassionate service coordinator. She was born in Brisbane, Australia, and is daughter to Glen and Pauline O’Brien and Stephanie Hammond.

Omer D. Fernandez, 44, and Amalia B. Fernandez, four children, Santo Cristo Ward, San Jose del Monte Philippines North Stake: Philippines Cebu Mission, succeeding President Manuel M. Agustin and Sister Bernadette Mari B. Agustin. Brother Fernandez is a mission presidency counselor and former stake president, district presidency counselor, high councilor, district Young Men president, branch president and Church service missionary. He was born in Manila, Philippines, to Oscar Placio Fernandez and Merlina Trinidad Dailisan Fernandez.

Sister Fernandez is a Church service missionary and former stake self-reliance specialist, district Young Women presidency counselor and branch Young Women presidency counselor. She was born in San Jose Del Monte, Philippines, to Sergio Tamayo Brosas and Gilarina Abian Faylogna.

Gus Giuria, 57, and Anny Giuria, three children, Upland 4th Ward (Spanish), Upland California Stake: Perú Chiclayo Mission, succeeding President E. Xavier Espinoza and Sister Silvia M. Espinoza. Brother Giuria is a ward mission leader and former mission presidency counselor, FSY representative, stake president, stake presidency counselor, high councilor, stake Young Men president, stake Young Men presidency counselor, bishop and missionary in the Perú Arequipa Mission. He was born in Lima, Perú, to Juan Giuria and Rosa Judith Pasco.

Sister Giuria is a ward Young Women presidency counselor and former FSY representative, patriarch scribe, stake Young Women president, stake Primary secretary, ward Primary president and ward Relief Society presidency counselor. She was born in Lima, Perú, to Arturo Creamer and Graciela Bromley.

R. Scott Hoffman, 63, and Janny P. Hoffman, two children, Black Canyon Ward, Henderson Nevada Eldorado Stake: Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Mission, succeeding President Matthew W. Wright and Sister Kimberly V. Wright. Brother Hoffman is a bishop and former high councilor, stake Young Men president, stake mission president, bishopric counselor, elders quorum president, ward Young Men president, ward mission leader, Young Men adviser, Sunday School teacher, temple preparation teacher, scoutmaster, temple ordinance worker and missionary in the North Carolina Greensboro Mission. He was born in Hemet, California, to Jerry Hoffman and Suzanne Jones.

Sister Hoffman is a nursery leader and former ward Relief Society president, ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor and Primary teacher. She was born in Logan, Utah, to Donald William Petersen and Nell H Petersen.

Russell V. Judd, 57, and Shawna Judd, six children, Oaks Ward, Bakersfield California South Stake: Georgia Atlanta North Mission, succeeding President Mark Harris and Sister Sarah Harris. Brother Judd is a ward mission leader and former stake president, stake presidency counselor, high councilor, bishopric counselor, elders quorum president and missionary in the California Anaheim Mission. He was born in Provo, Utah, to Tharon Von Judd and Kathleen Ann Judd.

Sister Judd is a ward missionary and former stake self-reliance specialist, ward Relief Society president, ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, Primary teacher, Sunday School teacher and missionary in the Spain Barcelona Mission. She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to John Joseph Sullivan and Mary Margaret Sullivan.

David Kannar, 60, and Sally-Jane Kannar, four children, Buderim Ward, Sunshine Coast Australia Stake: Cameroon Yaounde Mission, succeeding President R. Todd Miner and Sister Andrea Girand Miner. Brother Kannar is a former mission presidency counselor, regional YSA adviser, stake presidency counselor, stake YSA adviser, bishop, bishopric counselor, elders quorum president, ward Young Men president, ward mission leader, temple ordinance worker and missionary in the Australia Perth Mission. He was born in Sydney, Australia, to Darrell Kannar and Adele Shipley.

Sister Kannar is a former regional YSA adviser, stake Young Women president, district Relief Society presidency counselor, stake YSA adviser, ward Relief Society president, ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, ward activity committee member, Primary teacher, Sunday School teacher, institute teacher, seminary teacher and temple ordinance worker. She was born in Woodville, Australia, to John Sydney Tennant and Marguerite Patricia Tennant.

Kleber A. Litardo, 53, and Miriam Litardo, three children, Garzota Ward, Guayaquil Ecuador Kennedy Stake: México Guadalajara East Mission, succeeding President F. Javier Fonseca and Sister Ma. Margarita De Fonseca. Brother Litardo is a stake president and institute teacher and former area temple and family history consultant, stake presidency counselor, high councilor, bishop, bishopric counselor, ward Young Men president, Sunday School teacher and missionary in the Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission. He was born in Ventanas, Ecuador, to Maximo Litardo Muñoz and Mariana Benavides Real.

Sister Litardo is a Sunday School teacher and institute teacher and former area temple and family history consultant, stake Young Women presidency counselor, ward Relief Society president, ward Young Women president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Young Women presidency counselor, Relief Society teacher, Sunday School teacher, temple preparation teacher, seminary teacher and missionary in the Chile Santiago North Mission. She was born in Cuenca, Ecuador, to Edmundo Chamba Diaz and Amandina Cuesta Rojas.

Sipho Ndlovu, 60, and Christine Ndlovu, three children, Gweru Ward, Gweru Zimbabwe Stake: Nigeria Port Harcourt Mission, succeeding President Victor O. Bassey and Sister Nicoline Bassey. Brother Ndlovu is a stake president and former stake presidency counselor, district presidency counselor, elders quorum president and institute teacher. He was born in Gwanda, Zimbabwe, to Shadreck Maluzo Ndlovu and Lydia Muleya Dube.

Sister Ndlovu is a ward Primary presidency counselor and former ward Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Young Women presidency counselor, Sunday School teacher and seminary teacher. She was born in Plumtree, Zimbabwe, to Isaac Sibutha and Moddie Sibutha.

Gene Peckham, 57, and Karen Peckham, seven children, Fountain Green 1st Ward, Moroni Utah Stake: Michigan Lansing Mission, succeeding President Elmer L. Heap Jr. and Sister Amy Hobson Heap. Brother Peckham is an FSY representative and self-reliance representative and former stake president, high councilor, bishop, elders quorum president, elders quorum secretary, scoutmaster and missionary in the Michigan Lansing Mission. He was born in Murray, Utah, to Royce Ivan Peckham and Sherrie Lynn Peckham.

Sister Peckham is an FSY representative and self-reliance representative and former ward Primary president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Young Women presidency counselor, ward Young Women secretary, Relief Society compassionate service coordinator, Primary music leader, Relief Society teacher, Primary teacher, Activity Days leader and nursery leader. She was born in Mount Pleasant, Utah, to Calvin Matthias Allred and Rita Allred.

Milton Queiroz, 64, and Sandra Regina Saldanha Queiroz, five children, Barra da Tijuca Ward, Rio de Janeiro Brazil Jacarepaguá Stake: Brazil São Paulo South Mission, succeeding President Rick L. Hirschi and Sister Suzette Hirschi. Brother Queiroz is a mission presidency counselor and temple ordinance worker and former area temple and family history consultant, high councilor, bishopric counselor, ward mission leader, Young Men adviser and Young Men sports coach. He was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Milton Henriques da Paixão and Walstir Guedes de Queiroz.

Sister Queiroz is a ward Relief Society presidency counselor and temple ordinance worker and former stake Relief Society president, stake Young Women president, ward pianist, Relief Society teacher, Sunday School teacher and seminary teacher. She was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Jalbas Campos Saldanha and Maria Helena Barbosa Saldanha.

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.

Robert Dal Saxton, 61, and Cyneil Jensen Saxton, six children, Chayote Ward, Albuquerque New Mexico North Stake: Nevada Reno Mission, succeeding President Cory Dalton Dunn and Sister Pamela Stokes Dunn. Brother Saxton is a stake president and former bishop, ward Young Men president and missionary in the Kentucky Louisville Mission. He was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Dallis Bert Saxton and Barbara Lee Saxton.

Sister Saxton is a ward music chair and organist and former stake Young Women presidency counselor, ward Relief Society president, ward Young Women president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Young Women presidency counselor, ward Primary presidency counselor, ward choir director and seminary teacher. She was born in Utah to C Neil Jensen and Linda Louise P Jensen.