Members of the Upolu Samoa East Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints welcomed new leaders 1 May 2016.
The new stake presidency was called to serve by Elder O. Vincent Haleck of the Church’s Pacific Area Presidency.
Lupe F. Auvaa was called as president of the Upolu Samoa East Stake, with Senio Stowers as first counsellor and Sanele Sua as second counsellor.
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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 Upolu Samoa East Stake comprises around 3,500 members and is one of 20 in Samoa, and five in American Samoa.
President Auvaa was serving as second counsellor in the stake presidency at the time of his call as stake president.
Prior to announcing the new stake presidency Elder Haleck led the stake members in thanking the previous stake presidency Mika Avauli, Sosene Brown and Lupe F. Auvaa for their years of loving service.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not have a paid clergy, so local church leaders are not paid for the time and effort they dedicate to serve the members of their congregations.