New Mission Presidents Called to Vietnam, Russia, Italy, and Other Areas

Contributed By the Church News

• 21 March 2016

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Eight new mission presidents and their wives have been called by the First Presidency. They will begin their service this year.

Nigeria Owerri Mission

Solomon Ijoma Aliche, 49, and Victoria Kosayem Aliche, six children, Egbeda Ward, Lagos Nigeria Egbeda Stake: Nigeria Owerri Mission. Brother and Sister Aliche serve as a ward missionary couple for single adults. He is a former bishop, stake Sunday School president, high priests group leader, and missionary in the Nigeria Lagos Mission. Area materials manager, Corporation of the Presiding Bishop. Born in Kaduna, Nigeria, to Jonathan Aliche and Comfort Aliche.

Sister Aliche is a former ward Relief Society president, ward Young Women president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Young Women presidency counselor, and Sunday School teacher. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, to Isaiah Ikubor and Hannah Ikubor.

Honduras San Pedro Sula East Mission

Rex Thornley Carlisle Jr., 60, and Susan Kofoed Carlisle, five children, Eastridge 3rd Ward, Draper Utah Eastridge Stake: Honduras San Pedro Sula East Mission, succeeding President Norman S. Klein and Sister Kristin Klein. Brother Carlisle serves as a YSA high councilor and is a former stake presidency counselor, bishop, high councilor, stake Sunday School presidency counselor, and missionary in the Chile Santiago Mission. Director of distribution and fulfillment, Deseret Book Co. Born in Salt Lake City to Rex Thornley Carlisle and Florence Elaine Nicholes Carlisle.

Sister Carlisle serves as a stake YSA adviser and is a former stake Relief Society president, stake Primary presidency counselor, ward Young Women president, and ward Relief Society presidency counselor. Born in Salt Lake City to Ralph Lund Kofoed and Selma Elaine Lundstrom Kofoed.

Paraguay Asunción North Mission

Michael John Evans, 53, and Charlene Call Evans, six children, Sycamore Ward, Rockford Illinois Stake: Paraguay Asunción North Mission, succeeding President Garn H. McMullin and Sister Pam McMullin. Brother Evans serves as a stake president and is a former stake presidency counselor, bishop, high councilor, and missionary in the Guatemala Guatemala City Mission. Coordinator, Seminaries and Institutes. Born in Troy, Ohio, to Kent Tiffany Evans and Gloria Pearl Forsberg Evans.

Sister Evans is a former ward Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary president; ward Young Women presidency counselor; Young Women adviser; stake Young Women camp director; and Cub Scout leader. Born in Ogden, Utah, to Lane Fredrick Call and Evelyn Flora Ford Call.

Vietnam Hanoi Mission

Lewis Allen Hassell, 60, and Mary Bliss Finlayson Hassell, three children, Village Ward, Oklahoma City Stake: Vietnam Hanoi Mission. Brother and Sister Hassell recently served as a senior missionary couple. Brother Hassell is a former stake president, bishop, institute teacher, Varsity Scout coach, and missionary in the China Hong Kong Mission. Professor and director, Anatomic Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Born in Salt Lake City to Howard Johannas Hassell and Myrth Allen Hassell Johnson.

Sister Hassell is a former seminary teacher and missionary in the Argentina Cordoba Mission. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Norris Bryner Finlayson and Mary Ann Ellis Finlayson.

Russia Moscow Mission

Jeffrey David McGhie, 46, and Josie Preisler McGhie, five children, Dutch Canyon Ward, Midway Utah Stake: Russia Moscow Mission, succeeding President Garry E. Borders and Sister Sue Borders. Brother McGhie serves as a ward Sunday School president and is a former mission presidency counselor, district presidency counselor, branch president, high councilor, and missionary in the New Hampshire Manchester Mission. Director, Optimum Telecom Algerie. Born in Salt Lake City to Jerry Lyndon McGhie and Marilyn Fox McGhie.

Sister McGhie serves as a Young Women adviser and is a former district Primary presidency counselor, ward Relief Society and Primary president, branch Primary president, and Gospel Doctrine teacher. Born in San Diego, California, to George Thomas Preisler and Marietta Olivia Marquardt Preisler.

Italy Rome Mission

Michael Dean Pickerd, 57, and Marian Wood Pickerd, three children, Biltmore Ward, Phoenix Arizona East Stake: Italy Rome Mission, succeeding President Michael Waddoups and Sister Anna Kay Waddoups. Brother Pickerd serves as a high councilor and is a former Area Seventy, stake president, bishop, local coordinator for the Phoenix Arizona Temple, and missionary in the Italy Rome Mission. Phoenix Market Executive, JPMorgan Chase Bank. Born in Torrance, California, to Eggert Gale Pickerd and Grace Roylance Pickerd.

Sister Pickerd is a former stake Young Women president, stake and ward Young Women presidency counselor, ward Relief Society president, seminary teacher, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and missionary in the Italy Rome Mission. Born in Ottawa, Canada, to Stephen Lane Wood and Elizabeth Griffin Wood.

Idaho Nampa Mission

Paul David Sorensen, 64, and Julienne Kjergard Sorensen, four children, Arrowhead Ranch Ward, Glendale Arizona North Stake: Idaho Nampa Mission, succeeding President Stuart B. Cannon and Sister Elaine Cannon. Brother Sorensen is a former stake president, bishop, temple sealer, nursery leader, temple open house and dedication committee member, and missionary in the England East Mission. Retired, LSW Engineers. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, to James Peter Sorensen and Mary Jane Wellman Sorensen.

Sister Sorensen is a former ward Relief Society and Young Women president, ward Young Women presidency counselor, ward missionary, Relief Society teacher, and ward Young Women camp director. Born in Salt Lake City to William Elmer Kjergard and Lydia Eve Weiss Kjergard.

Washington Everett Mission

Michael Steven Wilding, 48, and LeAnn Frazier Wilding, four children, Plano 5th Ward, Plano Texas Stake: Washington Everett Mission, succeeding President Mark Bonham and Sister Kelly Bonham. Brother Wilding is a former stake president, bishop, high councilor, ward Young Men president, and missionary in the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission. Chief financial officer, EcoLoop Energy. Born in Salt Lake City to Wallace Wilford Wilding and Elaine Morgan Wilding.

Sister Wilding serves as a Sunday School teacher and is a former ward Relief Society and Young Women president, ward Young Women presidency counselor, Relief Society teacher, Cub Scout leader, and seminary teacher. Born in Provo, Utah, to Myron Alfred Frazier and Ellen Overson Frazier.

• Missionary Work