Seven new mission presidents and their wives have been called by the First Presidency. They will begin service about July 1. Mission assignments will be announced later.
Fernando Rodrigo Castro, 47, and Nora del Carmen Mendez Castro, four children, Valley View Ward, Rexburg Idaho East Stake. Brother Castro serves as a counselor in a stake presidency and is a former high councilor, bishop, counselor in a bishopric, counselor in a stake presidency, Sunday School teacher and missionary in the Ecuador Quito Mission. Full-time faculty member, Brigham Young University-Idaho. Born in Piñas, Ecuador, to Jose Marcelo and Josefina Melania Berrezueta Castro.
Sister Castro serves as a ward Primary president and is a former counselor in a ward Primary presidency, ward Young Women adviser, counselor in a ward Young Women presidency and seminary teacher. Born in Latacunga, Ecuador, to Jaime Francisco and Maria del Carmen Ramos Mendez.
Thomas J. Crawford, 57, and Carolyn Nilsen Crawford, four children, New Orleans 1st Ward, New Orleans Louisiana Stake. Brother Crawford serves as a high priest group leader and as an institute teacher. He is a former bishop, high councilor, high priest group instructor, gospel doctrine instructor, ward Young Men president and missionary in the England Central Mission. President and CEO, Stewart Enterprises. Born in Salt Lake City to John Jr. and Marilyn Reiser Crawford.
Sister Crawford serves as a ward Young Women president and is a former counselor in a stake Young Women presidency, ward Relief Society president in three presidencies, counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency and ward Young Women president. Born in Salt Lake City, to Frank Louis and Olive Tingey Nilsen.
Helcio Lehi Gaertner, 56, and Jussara Licínia de Souza Gaertner, two children, Jardim Itália Ward, Curitiba Brazil Iguacu Stake. Brother Gaertner serves as a high councilor and is a former counselor in a stake presidency, bishop, branch president, high priest group leader and missionary in the Brazil Porto Alegre Mission. President, Onda Servicos S.A. Born in Ponta Grossa, Brazil, to Levy Evaldo and Alice Gaertner.
Sister Gaertner serves as a stake Young Women president and is a former stake Primary president, stake Relief Society president, stake family history center director, ward Relief Society president and gospel principles teacher. Born in Curitiba, Brazil, to Jason and Lindamir Franca Garcia Souza.
Maurício da Glória Gonzaga, 47, and Claudia Sceppa Gonzaga, three children, Centro Cívico Ward, Maringá Brazil Stake. Brother Gonzaga serves as a counselor in the Brazil Londrina Mission and is a former stake president, counselor in a stake presidency, bishop and missionary in the Brazil Sao Paulo North Mission. Partner, Colline Import & Export. Born in Santos, Brazil, to Justiniano de Freitas and Suelena da Glória Gonzaga.
Sister Gonzaga serves as a ward Relief Society president and is a former stake Relief Society president, counselor in a stake Young Women presidency, ward Primary teacher and seminary and institute teacher. Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to Rodames and Nair Rodrigues Sceppa.
Monte Holm, 52, and Lisa K. Drake Holm, six children, Stone Cliff Ward, St. George Utah Little Valley Stake. Brother Holm serves as a high councilor and is a former counselor in a bishopric, elders quorum president, and missionary in the North Carolina Greensboro Mission. Executive vice chairman, World Financial Group. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Carl Otto and Florence Jessop Holm.
Sister Holm serves as a temple preparation teacher and is a former seminary teacher, counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency, counselor in a ward Young Women presidency, counselor in a ward Primary presidency, and gospel doctrine teacher. Born in Salt Lake City to Larry Wayne Drake and Bonnie Saxton Humphrey.
Robert Tingey Nilsen, 51, and Kathleen Zenger Nilsen, five children, Cottonwood 14th Ward, Salt Lake Big Cottonwood Stake. Brother Nilsen serves as a bishop and is a former high councilor, stake Young Men president, ward Young Men president and missionary in the Germany Duesseldorf Mission. CEO and president, Café Rio. Born in Salt Lake City to Frank Louis Nilsen and Olive Tingey Nilsen.
Sister Nilsen serves as a counselor in a ward Young Women presidency and is a former ward Young Women president, counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency, counselor in a ward Primary presidency, marriage and family relations teacher and gospel doctrine teacher. Born in Tulsa, Okla., to Gene Albert Zenger and Ann Louise Holbrook Zenger Diehl.
Philip Kwame Weah Xaxagbe, 59, and Agnes Yourah Logo Xaxagbe, three children, Dansoman Ward, Accra Ghana McCarthy Hill Stake. Brother Xaxagbe serves as a stake president and is a former bishop, high councilor, counselor in a stake Sunday School presidency, branch president and elders quorum president. Former Area Materials Management manager, Corporation of the Presiding Bishop. Born in Elmina, Central Region, Ghana, to John Kwodwo Amankwadu and Mary Araba Donkoh Mensah Yawson.
Sister Xaxagbe serves as an institute teacher and as a temple ordinance worker in the Accra Ghana Temple. She is a former stake Young Women president, counselor in a stake Relief Society presidency, ward Relief Society teacher, branch Relief Society president and branch Primary president. Born in Jirapa, Upper West Region, Ghana, to Kizito Kuunsagn and Magdalena Wienibe Naazig Logo.
