Church Leadership Shifts Reflect Global Growth and Adaptation
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is adjusting its leadership structure to better serve a growing global membership. Recent announcements detail changes to Area presidencies, signaling a strategic move towards increased support and responsiveness within the Church’s administrative framework. These adjustments, effective August 1st, include expanding some Area presidencies from three to four members and eliminating specific counselor designations.
Streamlining Leadership for a Modern Church
According to a press release, the changes are designed to enhance support within Area presidencies, enabling them to more effectively address the needs of a growing Church. This adaptation reflects a commitment to proactive leadership and efficient resource allocation as the Church continues to expand its reach worldwide.
Modern Area Presidency Assignments
The Church operates within 24 administrative areas: six encompassing the United States and 18 covering the rest of the world. New presidencies have been assigned across these areas, with leadership changes occurring in the United States Central, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, West, and Utah Areas, as well as in international regions including Africa Central, Africa South, Asia, and South America Northwest.
United States Area Leadership Updates
Key leadership appointments within the United States include:
- Area Estados Unidos Central: Elder José A. Teixeira (President), Elder Ricardo P. Giménez, Elder Karl D. Hirst, and Elder James O. Fantone.
- Area Estados Unidos Noreste: Elder Robert M. Daines (President), Elder Joni L. Koch, Elder Alan T. Phillips, and Elder Kevin J. Hathaway.
- Area Estados Unidos Sureste: Elder Massimo De Feo (President), Elder Aroldo B. Cavalcante, and Elder John D. Amos.
- Area Estados Unidos Suroeste: Elder Michael A. Dunn (President), Elder Joaquín E. Costa, Elder Sergio R. Vargas, and Elder Christian C. Chigbundu.
- Area Estados Unidos Oeste: Elder Takashi Wada (President), Elder Peter M. Johnson, Elder Hugo E. Martínez, and Elder Hutch U. Fale.
- Area Utah: Elder Brian K. Taylor (President), Elder John A. McCune, Elder Jorge T. Becerra, and Elder Thabo Lebethoa.
International Area Leadership Updates
Significant changes also extend to international areas:
- Área África Central: Elder Paul B. Pieper (President), Elder Alfred Kyungu, and Elder Christophe G. Giraud-Carrier.
- Área África Sur: Elder Carlos A. Godoy (President), Elder Vaiangina Sikahema, and Elder Ozani Farias.
- Área África Oeste: Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran (President), Elder Isaac K. Morrison, Elder Jonathan S. Schmitt, and Elder D. Martin Goury.
- Área Asia: Elder Kelly R. Johnson (President), Elder David L. Buckner, and Elder Wan-Liang Wu.
- Área Asia Norte: Elder J. Kimo Esplin (President), Elder Christopher H. Kim, and Elder Michael John U. Teh.
- Área Brasil: Elder Ciro Schmeil (President), Elder Denelson Silva, Elder Ronald M. Barcellos, and Elder B. Corey Cuvelier.
- Área Canadá: Elder Vern P. Stanfill (President), Elder Matthew L. Carpenter, and Elder James E. Evanson.
- Área Caribe: Elder Valeri V. Cordón (President), Elder Hugo Montoya, and Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt.
- Área Centroamérica: Elder Patricio M. Guiffra (President), Elder Ryan K. Olsen, and Elder Gregorio E. Casillas.
- Área Eurasia: Elder Aleksandr A. Drachyov (President), Elder Nikolai Ustyuzhaninov, and Elder Vladimir N. Astashov.
- Área Europa Central: Elder Jack N. Gerard (President), Elder James W. McConkie III, and Elder Michael Cziesla.
- Área Europa Norte: Elder Kevin W. Pearson (President), Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis, and Elder Paul H. Sinclair.
- Área México: Elder Moisés Villanueva (President), Elder Jose L. Alonso, Elder Brik V. Eyre, and Elder Jorge M. Alvarado.
- Área Medio Oriente / África Norte: Elder Anthony D. Perkins (President), Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella, and Elder Edward B. Rowe.
- Área Pacífico: Elder Taniela B. Wakolo (President), Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi, Elder Hans T. Boom, and Elder Matthew Johnson Eyring.
- Área Filipinas: Elder Carlos G. Revillo Jr. (President), Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong, and Elder Steven D. Shumway.
- Área Sudamérica Noroeste: Elder Juan Pablo Villar (President), Elder Sandino Roman, and Elder Steven C. Barlow.
- Área Sudamérica Sur: Elder Alan R. Walker (President), Elder Mathias Held, and Elder Aaron T. Hall.
The Role of Area Presidencies
Area presidencies operate under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the Presidency of the Seventy. They are responsible for overseeing the Church’s operations within their assigned geographic regions, working with local leaders, missionaries, and members. Doctrina y Convenios 107:34 outlines the responsibility of the Seventy to build up the Church and regulate its affairs in all nations.
Administrative Structure and Global Reach
The Church first established these administrative areas in 1984 to better manage its global operations. Most Area presidencies are comprised of General Authority Seventies, with the Eurasia Area being an exception, consisting entirely of Area Seventies. Areas within the United States are administered from Salt Lake City, while other international areas have area offices located within their respective regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Area Seventy? An Area Seventy is a local leader called to serve under the direction of the Area Presidency.
When do these changes take effect? The changes to Area presidencies are effective August 1st.
Why is the Church reorganizing its Area presidencies? The reorganization is intended to provide increased support and responsiveness to the needs of a growing global Church.
Where can I find a complete list of Area leaders? A complete list of Area leaders can be found on the Church’s official website, ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Learn more about the Church’s organizational structure here.
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