First Presidency Announces 2026–2027 Area Leadership Assignments

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the 2026–2027 area leadership assignments as well as adaptations that increase support in Area Presidencies to better meet the needs of a growing Church. These changes become effective on August 1, 2026.

Each of the following General Authority Seventies or Area Seventies serves as a member of an Area Presidency. There are no longer specific counselor designations. The Area President is on the left, marked with an asterisk, with photos of those serving in the Area Presidency extending to the right.

Area Presidencies — U.S.

UNITED STATES CENTRAL AREA

The United States Central Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder José A. Teixeira, President; Elder Ricardo P. Giménez; Elder Karl D. Hirst; and Elder James O. Fantone.

UNITED STATES NORTHEAST AREA

The United States Northeast Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Robert M. Daines, President; Elder Joni L. Koch; Elder Alan T. Phillips; and Elder Kevin J. Hathaway.

UNITED STATES SOUTHEAST AREA

The United States Southeast Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Massimo De Feo, President; Elder Aroldo B. Cavalcante, and Elder John D. Amos.

UNITED STATES SOUTHWEST AREA

The United States Southwest Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Michael A. Dunn, President; Elder Joaquin E. Costa; Elder Sergio R. Vargas; and Elder Christian C. Chigbundu.

UNITED STATES WEST AREA

The United States West Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Takashi Wada, President; Elder Peter M. Johnson; Elder Hugo E. Martínez; and Elder Hutch U. Fale.

UTAH AREA

The Utah Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Brian K. Taylor, President; Elder John A. McCune; Elder Jorge T. Becerra; and Elder Thabo Lebethoa.

Area Presidencies — Outside the U.S.

AFRICA CENTRAL AREA

The Africa Central Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Paul B. Pieper, President; Elder Alfred Kyungu; and Elder Christophe G. Giraud-Carrier.

AFRICA SOUTH AREA

The Africa South Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Carlos A. Godoy, President; Elder Vaiangina Sikahema; and Elder Ozani Farias.

AFRICA WEST AREA

The Africa West Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran, President; Elder Isaac K. Morrison; Elder Jonathan S. Schmitt; and Elder D. Martin Goury.

ASIA AREA

The Asia Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Kelly R. Johnson, President; Elder David L. Buckner; and Elder Wan-Liang Wu.

ASIA NORTH AREA

The Asia North Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder J. Kimo Esplin, President; Elder Christopher H. Kim; and Elder Michael John U. Teh.

BRAZIL AREA

The Brazil Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Ciro Schmeil, President; Elder Denelson Silva; Elder Ronald M. Barcellos; and Elder B. Corey Cuvelier.

CANADA AREA

The Canada Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Vern P. Stanfill, President; Elder Matthew L. Carpenter; and Elder James E. Evanson.

CARIBBEAN AREA

The Caribbean Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Valeri V. Cordón, President; Elder Hugo Montoya; and Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt.

CENTRAL AMERICA AREA

The Central America Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Patricio M. Guiffra, President; Elder Ryan K. Olsen; and Elder Gregorio E. Casillas.

EURASIAN AREA

The Eurasian Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Aleksandr A. Drachyov, President; Elder Nikolai Ustyuzhaninov; and Elder Vladimir N. Astashov. All are Area Seventies.

EUROPE CENTRAL AREA

The Europe Central Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Jack N. Gerard, President; Elder James W. McConkie III; and Elder Michael Cziesla.

EUROPE NORTH AREA

The Europe North Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Kevin W. Pearson, President; Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis; and Elder Paul H. Sinclair.

MEXICO AREA

The Mexico Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Moisés Villanueva, President; Elder Jose L. Alonso; Elder Brik V. Eyre; and Elder Jorge M. Alvarado.

MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA NORTH AREA

The Middle East / Africa North Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Anthony D. Perkins, President; Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella; and Elder Edward B. Rowe.

PACIFIC AREA

The Pacific Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, President; Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi; Elder Hans T. Boom; and Elder Matthew J. Eyring.

PHILIPPINES AREA

The Philippines Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Carlos G. Revillo Jr., President; Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong; and Elder Steven D. Shumway.

SOUTH AMERICA NORTHWEST AREA

The South America Northwest Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Juan Pablo Villar, President; Elder Sandino Roman; and Elder Steven C. Barlow.

SOUTH AMERICA SOUTH AREA

The South America South Area Presidency for 2026–2027, from left to right: Elder Alan R. Walker, President; Elder Mathias Held; and Elder Aaron T. Hall.

More About Area Presidencies

There are 24 areas in the Church of Jesus Christ — six that span the United States and 18 that span areas outside of the United States.

Beginning in 1984, areas were established to direct the work in geographic locations of the global Church. The Area Presidencies for the United States and the Middle East/Africa North Area work from Church headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“The Seventy are to act in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Twelve … in building up the Church and regulating all the affairs of the same in all nations” (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:34).