In one of its most significant global expansions in decades, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the establishment of 55 new missions worldwide, set to open on July 1, 2026. The move, revealed less than a month after President Dallin H. Oaks assumed leadership, marks a major milestone for the faith’s growing international presence.
A New Era of Global Outreach
The new missions will span six continents, with 16 located in Africa and 14 in the United States—two regions that continue to show strong membership growth and missionary engagement. Other regions include six new missions in Asia (five in the Philippines), two in Canada, and several across Europe, South America, and the Pacific.
President Oaks emphasized the spiritual importance of this expansion, stating, “It is inspiring to see the number of young church members who continue to answer the call to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. These missionaries are helping to bless the lives of hundreds of thousands of people every year.”
Rising Missionary Numbers Worldwide
The church reports a surge in missionary activity, now exceeding 84,000 full-time teaching, service, and senior missionaries across more than 150 countries, compared to 65,000 at the end of 2022. They serve in over 60 languages, a testament to the global reach of the Latter-day Saint movement.
Independent analyst Matt Martinich, who tracks church growth at ldschurchgrowth.blogspot.com, described the expansion as “unprecedented” and “strategically bold.” He noted that many of the new missions are being placed in areas with relatively small membership bases but high population potential, a move that could “tremendously accelerate future growth.”
Africa and the Philippines Lead Expansion
Africa, now one of the church’s fastest-growing regions, will gain 16 new missions, including new posts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Mozambique.
The Philippines, where membership has steadily risen for years, will add five new missions, making it the second-most expanded nation after the U.S.
U.S. and Global Mission Highlights
Within the United States, new missions will open in Missouri, Wyoming, Indiana, Virginia, Mississippi, Arizona, Oklahoma, Texas, California, and Idaho. Meanwhile, additional missions are planned in Canada (Halifax, Toronto East), Europe (France, Spain, Greece), Mexico (Tula), South America (Brazil, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay), and the Pacific (Australia, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands).
Historic Growth Momentum
The announcement follows a record year of growth for the 17.5 million-member church, which reported 308,682 new converts in 2024—the highest increase in nearly three decades. Last year’s addition of 36 missions has now been dwarfed by this year’s sweeping 55-mission expansion, signaling what many analysts see as a new era of growth and outreach for the LDS Church.
