The list includes 16 in Africa and 14 in the U.S. Analyst sees “tremendous potential to accelerate growth.”
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) The addition of 55 new missions around the world comes amid a steady rise in missionaries and congregations in certain parts of the world.
Just as the late President Russell M. Nelson became known as the temple-building prophet, the newly installed President Dallin H. Oaks may one day be remembered as the leader who vastly expanded the reach of Latter-day Saint missionaries.
Less than a month into his leadership, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced plans Friday to open 55 new missions effective July 1, 2026. The list includes 16 in Africa, where growth has been accelerating faster than anywhere else in the world and 14 in the United States. In contrast, Asia, historically a tougher evangelizing climate for the church, will receive six, with five of them slated for the Philippines.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Missionaries in class learning and teaching in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which will add two missions in 2026.
The news release cites the growing number of missionaries and congregations in certain parts of the world as reasons for the additions.
Currently, more than 84,000 full-time teaching, service and senior missionaries are enlisted in the cause, according to the church’s own figures, compared to 65,000 at the end of 2022. They serve in more than 150 countries and teach in more than 60 languages.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Missionaries share a message with a family living in Philippines. The country will receive five new missions, the second most of any country after the United States, set to gain 14.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) The announcement of 55 new missions comes less than a month into the tenure of President Dallin H. Oaks.
“It is inspiring to see the number of young church members who continue to answer the call to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world,” Oaks said in the news release. “These missionaries are helping to bless the lives of hundreds of thousands of people every year who are choosing to be baptized into the Lord’s church.”
Independent researcher Matt Martinich who charts membership at his ldschurchgrowth.blogspot.com website hailed the news as “extremely exciting” and “unprecedented” in recent history.
Even more exciting than the sheer number, Martinich said, is their locations.
“Many of these new missions will have few members in their geographical boundaries but often large target populations,” he said. “The distribution of these new missions has tremendous potential to accelerate growth.”
The 17.5 million-member church reported adding 308,682 converts to its rolls in 2024, the highest number in nearly three decades. It added 36 new missions last year.
Here is a complete list of the new missions.
United States
Missouri Kansas City.
Wyoming Cheyenne.
Indiana Fort Wayne.
Virginia Norfolk.
Mississippi Jackson
Arizona Phoenix East.
Oklahoma Tulsa.
Texas Dallas North.
Texas Houston North.
Texas San Antonio South.
California Oceanside.
California Ontario.
California Victorville.
Idaho Coeur d’Alene.
Africa
Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa North.
DR Congo Mwene-Ditu.
Kenya Kisumu.
Uganda Kampala East.
Angola Luanda North.
Malawi Lilongwe.
Mozambique Nampula.
South Africa East London.
Zimbabwe Harare West.
Ivory Coast Abidjan South.
Ivory Coast Daloa.
Ghana Accra South.
Ghana Sunyani.
Liberia Monrovia West.
Senegal Dakar.
Togo Lomé.
Asia
Mongolia Ulaanbaatar West.
Philippines Lingayen.
Philippines Lipa.
Philippines Ormoc.
Philippines Ozamiz.
Philippines Puerto Princesa.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Missionaries in the Philippines, which will gain five new missions in 2026.
Canada
Canada Halifax.
Canada Toronto East.
Europe
France Paris South.
Greece Athens.
Spain Madrid East.
Cape Verde Mindelo.
Mexico
Mexico Tula.
Pacific
Australia Brisbane South.
Papua New Guinea Daru.
Papua New Guinea Madang.
Samoa Apia East.
Solomon Islands Honiara.
South America
Brazil Guarulhos.
Brazil São Bernardo.
Brazil Sorocaba.
Perú Lima Northwest.
Perú Tacna.
Paraguay Asunción South.
Uruguay Salto.
