The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the creation of four new missions and boundary realignments for 12 missions. With these changes, beginning July 1, 2019, there will be 399 missions worldwide.
The following four missions will open in July 2019:
- Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa East
- Guatemala Antigua
- Perú Limatambo
- Philippines Antipolo
The Church will also realign the boundaries for the following 12 missions in July 2019 and merge them with adjoining missions:
- Argentina Posadas
- California Irvine
- California Long Beach
- California Rancho Cucamonga
- Canada Halifax
- Florida Tallahassee
- Georgia Macon
- Idaho Nampa
- Japan Sendai
- Korea Daejeon
- New York Utica
- Virginia Chesapeake
Changes to mission boundaries occur regularly based on the needs and demands of each area around the world. This is particularly the case as the number of missionaries has leveled off after the change in ages for missionary service took effect in 2012. The number of missionaries initially surged to over 88,000 before receding to 65,000 missionaries today, as expected.
Further details on these changes will be communicated from mission presidents to parents of missionaries in the affected missions. Information about new mission presidents will be announced later this month.
Missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serve as volunteers at their own expense. Young men ages 18 to 25 serve for two years, while young women ages 19 to 39 serve for 18 months. Senior missionaries generally serve from six months to two years.