New 2017 Mission Presidents Called to Serve in Nigeria, Japan, U.S., and More

• 10 April 2017

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Eight new mission presidents and their wives have been called by the First Presidency. They will begin their service in July of 2017.

México Guadalajara East Mission

Carlos Hugo Assante, 61, and Sandra Lee Nelson Assante, six children, Red Mountain Ward, Mesa Arizona Red Mountain Stake: México Guadalajara East Mission, succeeding President Jack B. Egginton and Sister Melinda Egginton. Brother Assante serves as a ward mission leader and is a former stake presidency counselor, bishopric counselor, high councilor, ward Young Men president, and missionary in the Argentina Rosario Mission. Director of medicare sales, Tenet Healthcare. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Jose Vicente Assante and Nelly Dora Assante.

Sister Assante serves as a Primary pianist and is a former stake Young Women and Primary presidency counselor, ward Young Women president, and Relief Society teacher. Born in Portland, Oregon, to John Andrew Nelson and Dorine Nelson.

Arizona Tucson Mission

Eric Lloyd Browning, 49, and Jana Eliason Browning, eight children, Sand Creek Ward, Shelley Idaho South Stake: Arizona Tucson Mission, succeeding President David Passey and Sister Beth Passey. Brother Browning is a former stake president, high councilor, stake Young Men president, bishopric counselor, elders quorum president, and missionary in the Spain Barcelona Mission. Chief executive officer and owner, Blue Spring Partners Fin Fun. Born in McCall, Idaho, to Jerry Vaughn Browning and Karen Sue Lloyd Browning.

Sister Browning serves as a Sunday School teacher and is a former ward Young Women and Primary president, ward Young Women and Primary presidency counselor, and temple preparation teacher. Born in American Fork, Utah, to Robert Wayne Eliason and Carla Jean Brenchley Eliason.

Guatemala Guatemala City East Mission

Stephen Kohler Christensen, 60, and Marilyn Farr Christensen, nine children, Farmington 1st Ward, Farmington Utah Stake: Guatemala Guatemala City East Mission, succeeding President David J. Crapo and Sister Teresa Crapo. Brother Christensen is a former stake president, bishop, high councilor, stake and ward Young Men president, and missionary in the Costa Rica San José Mission. Attorney, Nelson Christensen Hollingworth & Williams. Born in Salt Lake City to Joe Junior Christensen and Ida Barbara Kohler Christensen.

Sister Christensen serves as a ward organist and is a former stake and ward Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Primary president, ward Young Women presidency counselor, and missionary in the Canada Montreal Mission. Born in Salt Lake City to Lionel Miller Farr and Odetta Jeane Bramwell Farr.

Nigeria Port Harcourt Mission

Eugene Nii Noi Engmann, 56, and Lily Eluah Andoh-Kesson Engmann, five children, New Gbawe Ward, Accra Ghana Kaneshie Stake: Nigeria Port Harcourt Mission, succeeding President Anthony M. Kaku and Sister Doe A. A. Kaku. Brother Engmann serves as a Sunday School teacher and is a former stake president, bishop, high councilor, stake executive secretary, ward Young Men president, and missionary in the Ghana Accra Mission. Temple recorder, Accra Ghana Temple. Born in Accra, Ghana, to Emmanuel Nortey Engmann and Beatrice Ayikaako Thompson.

Sister Engmann serves as a ward Primary president and temple ordinance worker and is a former stake Primary secretary, ward Relief Society and Young Women president, and seminary teacher. Born in Cape Coast, Ghana, to Jacob Andoh-Kesson Sr. and Lily Eluah Micah.

South Carolina Columbia Mission

Weston Russell Innes, 62, and Jody Barrett Innes, four children, Willow Creek 1st Ward, Sandy Utah Willow Creek Stake: South Carolina Columbia Mission, succeeding President Judd A. Turner and Sister Mary Anne Turner. Brother Innes is a former stake presidency counselor, bishop, high councilor, stake mission presidency counselor, assistant director of Church hosting, and missionary in the Australia Brisbane Mission. Retired business owner. Born in Salt Lake City to Earl Russell Innes and Phebe Weston Innes.

Sister Innes is a former stake Primary presidency counselor, ward Primary president, ward Young Women presidency counselor, assistant director of Church hosting, young single adult adviser, and ward missionary. Born in Salt Lake City to Roy Ashby Barrett and Ruth Redd Barrett.

Micronesia Guam Mission

George Kaluhiokalani, 56, and Manao Kaluhiokalani, four children, Kaneohe 3rd Ward, Kaneohe Hawaii Stake: Micronesia Guam Mission, succeeding President John S. Zarbock and Sister Kathy Zarbock. Brother Kaluhiokalani is a former temple sealer, stake president, stake presidency counselor, bishop, stake mission president, high priests group leader, elders quorum president, and missionary in the Oregon Portland Mission. Market executive for Hawaii and the Pacific Islands, Merrill Lynch. Born in Riverside, New Jersey, to Joseph Kaluhiokalani and Ruth Anna Hubbs Kaluhiokalani.

Sister Kaluhiokalani serves as a Relief Society teacher and is a former ward Primary president and ward Relief Society and Young Women presidency counselor. Born in Lautoka, Fiji, to Wai Tong Kwong Yee and Mereoni Torisi Sauhuaekaratini.

California Fresno Mission

Bart Powell Mackay, 60, and LuAnn Gilbert Mackay, five children, Hobble Creek 15th Ward, Springville Utah Hobble Creek Stake: California Fresno Mission, succeeding President Jeffrey D. Clark and Sister Bonnie J. Clark. Brother Mackay is a former stake president, bishop, high councilor, ward mission leader, ward Young Men president, and missionary in the Mexico Veracruz Mission. Attorney and owner, Mackay Ventures. Born in Pasco, Washington, to Boyd Rex Mackay and Gayle Powell Mackay.

Sister Mackay is a former stake and ward Young Women presidency counselor, ward Relief Society president, and achievement day leader. Born in Othello, Washington, to Glen Albert Gilbert and Lula Mae Horrocks Gilbert.

Japan Kobe Mission

Shane Dee Smoot, 57, and Stacey Ann Burns Smoot, six children, Lakeview Ward, Utah Centerville North Stake: Japan Kobe Mission, succeeding President Phillip K. Welch and Sister Julie N. Welch. Brother Smoot is a former stake presidency counselor, bishop, high councilor, stake executive secretary, stake Young Men president, and missionary in the Japan Okayama Mission. Founder and president, NovaSource Management. Born in Salt Lake City to Stanley Millard Smoot and Mary Ellen Wood Smoot.

Sister Smoot serves as a Primary activity day leader and is a former stake Primary president, ward Relief Society and Young Women president, Young Women adviser, and Primary teacher. Born in Rexburg, Idaho, to Keven Henry Burns and Dallas Pauline Jordan Burns Hatch.

• Missionary Work