During the first four months of 2019, five new branches of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were created on outer islands in the Republic of Kiribati, according to President John Larkin of the Marshall Islands / Kiribati Mission.
New branches have been created on the islands of Nikunau, Nonouti and Onotoa; and two new branches have been created on the island of Tabiteuea.
With the addition of the two new branches on Tabiteuea, there are now a total of four branches of the Church on that island.
Through the efforts of over 100 proselyting missionaries serving in Kiribati combined with the faithful service of the local Church members, the Church is growing at an accelerated rate in Kiribati.
According to President Larkin the plan is to group the five newly created branches with existing branches on the islands of Tabiteua and Beru to form the South Tarawa District as a next step towards creating a new stake.
Currently there are over 22,000 Church members in Kiribati (21% of the total population), in two stakes and two districts.
The Republic of Kiribati is now ranked sixth in the world in terms of the number of Church members per capita.