Church of Jesus Christ Expands with 55 New Missions in 2026

In a notable initiative, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints plans to create 55 new missions worldwide, starting July 1, 2026. This expansion comes as the Church responds to an increasing number of young members willing to serve full-time missions. The new missions will enhance support for the growing number of congregations globally.

Impact of New Missions

The establishment of these additional missions will bring the total number to 506. This configuration allows for better management of resources and personnel. President Dallin H. Oaks expressed his enthusiasm, noting how these missionaries significantly contribute to communities by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Growth in Missionary Numbers

The Church has seen a substantial increase in missionary participation. The total number of young, teaching, and service missionaries has risen sharply from over 65,000 at the end of 2022 to more than 84,000 as of late 2023. They serve in more than 150 countries and preach in over 60 languages.

New Mission Locations

The following are the locations for the newly formed missions, organized by region:

• Africa Central
  • DR Congo Kinshasa North
  • DR Congo Mwene-Ditu
  • Kenya Kisumu
  • Uganda Kampala
• East Africa South
  • Angola Luanda North
  • Malawi Lilongwe
  • Mozambique Nampula
  • South Africa East London
  • Zimbabwe Harare
• West Africa West
  • Côte d’Ivoire Abidjan South
  • Côte d’Ivoire Daloa
  • Ghana Accra South
  • Ghana Sunyani
  • Liberia Monrovia West
  • Senegal Dakar
  • Togo Lomé
• Asia North
  • Mongolia Ulaanbaatar West
• Brazil
  • Brazil Guarulhos
  • Brazil São Bernardo
  • Brazil Sorocaba
• Canada
  • Canada Halifax
  • Canada Toronto
• Europe Central
  • France Paris South
  • Greece Athens
  • Spain Madrid
• Europe North
  • Cape Verde Mindelo
  • México Tula
• Pacific
  • Australia Brisbane South
  • Papua New Guinea Daru
  • Papua New Guinea Madang
  • Samoa Apia East
  • Solomon Islands Honiara
• Philippines
  • Philippines Lingayen
  • Philippines Lipa
  • Philippines Ormoc
  • Philippines Ozamiz
  • Philippines Puerto Princesa South
• South America Northwest
  • Perú Lima Northwest
  • Perú Tacna
• South America South
  • Paraguay Asunción South
  • Uruguay Salto
• United States Central
  • Missouri Kansas City
  • Wyoming Cheyenne
• United States Northeast
  • Indiana Fort Wayne
  • Virginia Norfolk
• United States Southeast
  • Mississippi Jackson
• United States Southwest
  • Arizona Phoenix East
  • Oklahoma Tulsa
  • Texas Dallas North
  • Texas Houston North
  • Texas San Antonio South
• United States West
  • California Oceanside
  • California Ontario
  • California Victorville
  • Idaho Coeur d’Alene

The Church has expressed its commitment to support all missionaries effectively with these changes. Elder Quentin L. Cook emphasized the importance of balancing missionary resources, allowing for better mentorship and leadership as the Church continues to grow.