Members of the Flaxmere Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) welcomed new leaders on 17 April 2016. Members of the new Stake Presidency were called to serve by Elder S. Gifford Nielsen of the Pacific Area Presidency of the Church.
Farley Keenan was called as president of the New Zealand Flaxmere Stake, with Nimo Tuavera as first counsellor and Justin Edwards as second counsellor.
A stake is a Mormon term for a group of congregations—called wards—in a geographical area, similar to a diocese in other Christian churches. The New Zealand Flaxmere Stake comprises around 2,000 members.
President Keenan was baptised in 2003 in Flaxmere. Just one week later he moved to Wellington where he increased in his newfound faith and learned more about Church teachings. He also grew to love and admire the diligent and faithful members of the Church.
First counsellor Tuavera has served as Bishop of the Flaxmere First Ward. He, too, is a convert to the Church and is originally from the Cook Islands.
The second counsellor in the presidency, President Edwards, was serving as bishop of the Flaxmere Third Ward at the time of this new calling. He has been a member of the Church his entire life.