The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has asked John R. Higgins, Michael J. Fermanis and Newman N. Soloai, all New Zealanders, to serve as new mission presidents. They, along with their wives, are expected to lead the Church’s missionary efforts in their respective areas over the course of the next three years, beginning in July, 2017.
“We congratulate these wonderful couples for being prepared to serve in these important assignments,” said Elder O. Vincent Haleck, president of the Pacific Area of the Church. “They are men and women of faith who love their Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
“They desire to share their sacred feelings with others and are willing to leave behind those they love and their regular lives to serve. The missionaries they lead will be blessed immensely,” he concluded.
President John R. Higgins and Naomi Grace Heperi Higgins, from Hamilton, will serve in the Fiji Suva Mission.
President Michael J. Fermanis and Raelinda Maxine Hemi Fermanis, from Porirua, will serve in the Philippines Manila Mission.
President Newman N. Soloai and Luisa Kava Kavea ‘Etuate, from Auckland, will serve in the New Zealand Wellington Mission.
The Church has more than 74,000 missionaries in over 400 missions worldwide. President Higgins, Fermanis and Soloai are only three of 123 new mission presidents called to begin their service this year.
A complete list can be found online. Short biographies of each new leader will be published on News.lds.org in the coming months.