New mission president called to serve in Zimbabwe

Jimmy Carter Okot, 43, and Lindiwe Amanda Malambile Okot, five children, Seeta Branch, Kampala Uganda North Stake: Zimbabwe Bulawayo Mission. Brother Okot is a former stake president, district president, branch president, elders quorum president and missionary in the Kenya Nairobi Mission. Born in Kitgum, Uganda, to Everist Kidega and Norah Amato.

Sister Okot serves as a branch temple and family history consultant and is a former branch Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary president, seminary teacher and missionary in the Kenya Nairobi Mission. Born in Gauteng, South Africa, to Paul Ngwenya and Nomathemba Cynthia Malambile.

Source: Deseret News

President Nelson to visit Kenya and Zimbabwe in April

SALT LAKE CITY — President Russell M. Nelson will visit Israel, India, Kenya and five other countries on a “global ministry tour” next month, the LDS Church announced Friday. . . . President Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Watson Nelson, will be joined by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Patricia Holland. The contingent will depart April 10 and return April 23. The tour’s other stops are in London, Zimbabwe, Thailand, Hong Kong and Hawaii.

Source: LDS Church announces stops for President Nelson’s tour | Deseret News

New stakes and a district created in Nigeria

The Benin City Nigeria Sokponba Stake was organized from a division of the Benin City Nigeria Ikpokpan Stake and the Benin City Nigeria Oregbeni Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards and two branches: the Ekae, Evbuoriaria, Igun 2nd, Sokponba, Ugbekun, and Upper Sokponba Wards, and the Erediauwa and Idogbo Branches.

The Benin City Nigeria Uzebu Stake was organized from a division of the Benin City Nigeria Ihogbe Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards and three branches: the Egbon Estate, Evbuotubu, Ogbe, Oliha, Ugboikhoko, and Uzebu 1st Wards, and the Agho, Oguola, and Upper Owina Branches. There are now eight stakes in Benin City – more than any other city in Nigeria.

The Church organized a new district in Ondo State on March 18th. The Akure Nigeria District includes the following five branches: Ado-Ekiti, Akure 1st, Akure 2nd, Akure 3rd, and Akure 4th Branches.

Source: LDS Church Growth

New stake presidents in Ghana & Uganda

ACCRA GHANA ADENTA STAKE: (Jan. 21, 2018) President — Michel D. Avegnon, 48, CEO at Smave Company Ltd.; succeeding Daniel Kabason; wife, Suana Avegnon. Counselors — James B. Yeri, 40, human resources specialist, LDS Church; wife, Peace E. Yeri. Richard P. Dadzie, 46, instructor, Leso Computers; wife, Ida A. Dadzie.

KAMPALA UGANDA NORTH STAKE: (Jan. 21, 2018) President — Powell L. Oketa, 34, junior mechanic; succeeding Jimmy Carter Okot; wife, Lucia R. Phoga. Counselors — Fredrick A. Kyambadde, 38, managing director, Loyal Group Security LTD; wife, Christina L. N. Kyambadde. Wayne D. Cook, 33, Head Business Banking, Stanbic Bank; wife, Irene A. Cook.

Source: New stake presidents | Deseret News

South African called to preside over Zimbabwe mission

Tasara Makasi, 44, and Shamiso Mberengwa Makasi, four children, Ruimsig Ward, Roodepoort South Africa Stake: Zimbabwe Harare Mission, succeeding President T. Jackson Mkhabela and Sister Dorah Mkhabela.

Brother Makasi serves as an Area Seventy and is a former stake president, district president, high councilor, institute teacher and missionary in the Zimbabwe Harare Mission. Born in Masvingo, Zimbabwe, to Cleophas Tapiwa Makasi and Francisca Rita Chenjebvu.

Sister Makasi serves as a Primary teacher and is a former district Young Women president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, branch Primary presidency counselor, seminary teacher and Sunday School teacher. Born in Gweru, Zimbabwe, to Carlisto Mberengwa and Muchaneta Dube.

Source: Deseret News

First convert baptisms in Mali

The first convert baptisms in the country of Mali took place this past weekend. Local members report that four converts were baptized in a swimming pool, including two converts from the Bamako Branch and two converts from the Farako Group. Missionaries serving in the Cote d’Ivoire Abidjan Mission have been teaching investigators by Skype for the past couple months and there are as many as two dozen more individuals preparing to be baptized in the near future.

Source: LDS Church Growth