New Districts Created in the DR Congo (2), Ecuador, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, and Togo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo)

Two new districts were organized in the DR Congo, each of which were created from a single mission branch and multiple new branches organized at the time the district was created.

Lukalaba DR Congo District was organized on May 31st from the Lukalaba Branch which was under the direct supervision of the DR Congo Mbuji-Mayi Mission. Three new branches were organized at the time the new district was organized for a total of four branches in the district: Kasansa, Katoto, Lukalaba, and Monzo. A member group also operated within the district at the time the district was organized (Kakona). The first branch to be created in Lukalaba was organized in 2024.

The Maluku DR Congo District was organized on June 7th from the Maluku Branch which was under the direct supervision of the DR Congo Kinshasa South Mission. Two new branches were organized at the time the new district was organized for a total of three branches in the district: Magengenge, Maluku, and Monaco. The Maluku Branch was originally organized in 2023.

The organization of new districts from the division of a single branch into two or more additional congregations is incredibly difficult to predict, and it is unclear whether additional branches in the DR Congo are likely to become districts like Lukalaba and Maluku. However, additional districts appear likely to be organized in the immediate future in the DR Congo due to steady growth and multiple current branches that are not currently within the boundaries of a stake or district. Based on the number of current branches in these areas, possible locations include, these locations include Demba (2), Kalemie (2), Kamina (2), Kenge (2), Menkao (5), and Uvira (2).

Currently, there are 49 stakes and 13 districts in the DR Congo.

Ecuador 

A new district was organized in Ecuador. The Orellana Ecuador District was organized on June 14th from mission branches in northeastern Ecuador. The new district includes the following seven branches: the El Coca, Lago Agrio, Loreto, Nueva Loja, Orellana, Sacha, and Shushufindi Branches. For more information about the historic creation of the first district in this region of Ecuador, click here, as this was explored in a recent monthly newsletter.

There are now 45 stakes and six districts in Ecuador.

Kenya

A new district was organized in Kenya. The Kwale Kenya District was organized on May 24th from a division of the Mombasa Kenya District (organized in 2015). The new district includes the following three branches (two of which have been organized since 2025) south of the Kilindini Port in Mombasa, namely the Likoni, Ujamaa, and Ukunda Branches. The realigned Mombasa Kenya District now has five branches.

There are now four stakes and 12 districts in Kenya.

Papua New Guinea (PNG)

A new district was organized in PNG. The Wewak PNG District was organized on May 18th from a division of the Sepik River PNG District (organized in 2012). Three new branches were organized in the Wewak area, bringing the total number of branches in the new district to four: White Bridge, Wewak 1st, Wewak 2nd, and Yawasoro. For more information about this development, click here to access a previous newsletter article.

There are now six stakes and nine districts in PNG.

Thailand

A new district was organized in Thailand for the first time in nearly 30 years. The Phitsanulok Thailand District was organized on August 30th from two branches in the Chiang Mai Thailand District (Kamphaeng Phet [organized in 2016] and Phitsanulok [organized in 1979]) and one newly organized mission branch (Nakhon Sawan). There are now three districts in the country, all of which are located in northern Thailand. There are also four stakes in Thailand.

Togo 

A new district was organized in Togo, marking the first time a district has been created outside of the capital city of Lomé. The Tsévié Togo District was organized on June 14th, 2026, from the Lomé Togo Agoe Stake (organized in 2023) and several mission branches in the Benin Cotonou Mission (Note: The Togo Lomé Mission was organized the following month). The new district includes the following six branches: the Davie, Kpalime, Notse, Tabligbo, Tsévié, and Zomayi Branches.

There are now three stakes and one district in Togo.

Note: Since the most recent update on new stakes and districts organized, at least seven additional stakes have been created. These include the Justin Texas Stake (August 23rd, 2026), Kimberly Idaho East Stake (August 23rd, 2026), Pocatello Idaho Hawthorne Stake (August 23rd, 2026), Salt River Wyoming Stake (August 23rd, 2026), Eagle Mountain Utah Brandon Park Stake (August 30th, 2026), St Anthony Idaho Juniper Mountain Stake (August 30th, 2026), and Caldwell Idaho Lake Lowell Stake (September 13th, 2026). Due to the unusually large number of new stakes and districts organized in recent months, I will provide a future update on these newly created stakes.