News Release

New Mission Leaders Arrive in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu

New leaders of five missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrived in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Australia this week. 

President Max L. Checketts and his wife, Sister Donna H. Checketts, will lead, train and support the missionaries serving in the Australia Sydney North Mission. The couple have six children, and come from Laie, Hawaii, USA. They succeed President Philip F. Howes and Sister Judith L. Howes, who have served in the Australia Sydney North Mission for the last three years.

The new president of the Australia Perth Mission is Walter S. Fife. He and his wife, Sister Dana L. Fife, have seven children and come from Manti, Utah, USA. The Fifes succeed President Richard B. Lindsay and Sister Sharlene Lindsay.

Lisa A. and R. Jeffrey Parker have four children and come from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.  They will lead the missionaries in the Australia Adelaide Mission, succeeding President Bradley D. Carter and Sister Donalynn Carter. 

Paul W. and Gayle A. Granger have eight children and come from Adelaide, Australia. They are taking on leadership positions in the Vanuatu Port Vila Mission, succeeding President Larry E. Brewer and Sister Maryanne Brewer. 

Succeeding President Pita F. Hopoate and Sister Lani A. Hopoate in the Papua New Guinea Port Moresby Mission are President Voi R. and Sister Ronette K. Taeoalii. The new mission leaders have four children and come from Makakilo, Hawaii, USA.   

All five couples have served in various lay leadership positions in their homelands throughout their lives. In answer to calls from the president of the Church, Thomas S. Monson, they have left their homes and families for three years to dedicate their daily lives to leading missionary efforts in teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and serving communities in other ways. 

The Church has 406 missions worldwide, with missionaries numbering over 80,000 around the globe.

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