First Presidency Calls 7 New MTC Presidents for 2017

Contributed By the Church News

  • 18 November 2016

The First Presidency has called seven new missionary training center presidents and their wives; they will begin their service in January 2017.

Mexico Missionary Training Center

Curtis R. and Sheri M. Bennett

Curtis Robert Bennett, 56, and Sheri Marie Bevell Bennett, five children, Eaglewood Ward, North Salt Lake Utah Stake: Mexico Missionary Training Center, succeeding President Octaviano Tenorio and Sister Rosa Tenorio. Brother Bennett serves as a counselor in a mission presidency and is a former president of the Chile Santiago South Mission, bishop, institute teacher, and missionary in the Mexico Merida Mission. International director of advancement, Cause for Hope. Born in West Memphis, Arkansas, to Byron Eugene Bennett and Margaret Darleen Johnson Bennett.

Sister Bennett served with her husband in the Chile Santiago South Mission and is a former ward Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary presidency counselor; institute teacher; and Gospel Doctrine teacher. Born in Mesa, Arizona, to John Nance Bevell and Betty Sybil Stallings Bevell.

England Missionary Training Center

Jonathon W. and Susan Bunker

Jonathon Wayne Bunker, 57, and Susan Stewart Bunker, five children, Canyon Gate Ward, Las Vegas Nevada Stake: England Missionary Training Center, succeeding President Robert I. Preston and Sister Patricia Preston. Brother Bunker serves as an institute teacher and ward mission leader and is a former president of the California Santa Rosa Mission, stake presidency counselor, bishop, and missionary in the Bolivia La Paz Mission. Regional president, OptumCare. Born in Las Vegas, Nevada, to William Wayne Bunker and Lucy Bluth Bunker.

Sister Bunker serves as a stake Primary president and served with her husband in the California Santa Rosa Mission. She is a former ward Primary president, Young Women adviser, and Primary music leader. Born in Las Vegas, Nevada, to Alden Levi Stewart and Carma Nelson Stewart.

Philippines Missionary Training Center

Rodolfo A. and Brenda R. Carlos

Rodolfo Alalay Carlos, 67, and Brenda Roine Langer Carlos, two children, Salem 9th Ward, Salem Utah West Stake: Philippines Missionary Training Center, succeeding President Richard J. Trask and Sister Genevieve Trask. Brother Carlos is a former president of the Philippines Cauayan Mission, stake presidency counselor, bishop, Sunday School teacher, and missionary in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission. Director of sales, ABL Medical, LLC. Born in Manila, Philippines, to Gregorio Soriano Carlos and Virginia Alalay Carlos.

Sister Carlos served with her husband in the Philippines Cauayan Mission and is a former stake Primary president, ward Relief Society president, Sunday School teacher, and seminary teacher. Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, to William Perry Langer and Eva Jean McDowell Langer.

Dominican Republic Missionary Training Center

Karen S. and Richard M. Gulbrandsen

Richard Mark Gulbrandsen, 61, and Karen Skousen Gulbrandsen, six children, Valencia Ward, Mesa Arizona Citrus Heights Stake: Dominican Republic Missionary Training Center, succeeding President Brent W. Romney and Sister Ella Romney. Brother Gulbrandsen is a former president of the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission, stake president, stake presidency counselor, bishop, and missionary in the Mexico Mexico City Mission. Attorney/partner, Skousen, Gulbrandsen, & Patience, LLC. Born in Salt Lake City to Norman Ralph Gulbrandsen and Lois Ione Stirling Daly.

Sister Gulbrandsen served with her husband in the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission and is a former stake Primary presidency counselor, ward Young Women and Primary president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, and temple ordinance worker. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, to William Jess Skousen and Joan Taylor Skousen.

Colombia Missionary Training Center

JoElla and J. Peter Hansen

Jay Peter Hansen, 66, and JoElla Haines Hansen, four children, Half Moon Bay Ward, San Mateo California Stake: Colombia Missionary Training Center, succeeding President Kenneth L. DuVall and Sister Mary DuVall. Brother and Sister Hansen recently served as a senior missionary couple. Brother Hansen is a former president of the Mexico Veracruz Mission, stake presidency counselor, bishop, high councilor, ward Young Men president, and missionary in the West Spanish American Mission. Retired police chief and institute director. Born in Stockton, California, to Jay Clayton Hansen and Ardelle Hamilton Hansen.

Sister Hansen served with her husband in the Mexico Veracruz Mission and is a former stake Relief Society president, stake Young Women presidency counselor, and ward Young Women president. Born in Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, to Albert Edwin Haines and Thelda Gwilliam Haines.

New Zealand Missionary Training Center

Judith L. and Philip F. Howes

Philip Francis Howes, 66, and Judith Leslie Brownjohn Howes, three children, Morialta Ward, Adelaide Australia Firle Stake: New Zealand Missionary Training Center, succeeding President John R. Gibson and Sister Kathryn E. Gibson. Brother Howes is a former president of the Australia Sydney North Mission, temple president, stake president, district president, bishop, and missionary in the Peru Lima Mission. Retired. Born in London, England, to Frederick John Howes and Ada May Brooks Howes.

Sister Howes served with her husband in the Australia Sydney North Mission and is a former temple matron, ward Relief Society president, ward missionary, and seminary teacher. Born in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, to Gordon Ernest Brownjohn and June Mary Snowball Brownjohn.

Provo Missionary Training Center

David C. and Deanie Martino

David C. Martino, 63, and Barbara “Deanie” Martino, four children, Denton 4th Ward, Denton Texas Stake: Provo Missionary Training Center, succeeding President Dean R. Burgess and Sister Annette C. Burgess. Brother and Sister Martino recently served as a senior missionary couple. Brother Martino is a former president of the Philippines Angeles Mission, stake presidency counselor, bishop, high councilor, and missionary in the Italy North Mission. Retired chief executive officer, Russell-Newman Inc. Born in Denton, Texas, to Frank Nilson Martino and Betty Jean Newman Martino.

Sister Martino served with her husband in the Philippines Angeles Mission and is a former stake Young Women presidency counselor, ward Relief Society and Young Women president, and ward Primary presidency counselor. Born in Morrillton, Arkansas, to Albert Sidney Gilton and Ada Idella Minton Gilton.

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