Missionary tradition rich in ward; eight embark at once
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Members of the Centerville 9th Ward, Centerville Utah North Stake, have taken the prophet's counsel to heart by sending out an average of six missionaries every year for the past 10 years.
With the latest group of missionaries, the ward has hit a ward record-high with 18 elders serving full-time missions. Eight of those elders were recently in the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, at the same time.The close-knit group, many who have been friends since Primary, graduated together from Bountiful's Viewmont High School in 1989.
The group includes: Elder Brandon Bitters, Mexico Merida Mission; Elder Jeff Breese, Washington Tacoma Mission; Elder Michael Schaff, California Ventura Mission; Elder Mark Anderson, Italy Milan Mission; Elder Alan Wilding, Virginia Roanoke Mission; Elder Eric Johansen, North Carolina Raleigh Mission; Elder Matt Brenchley, Japan Okinawa Mission; and Elder Randy Miller, Florida Tampa Mission.
One young man and possibly two others will join the ranks of those currently serving before the end of the year to bring the total to about 20, said Bishop Blake Cloward.
In the past two months, there's been a missionary farewell in the ward every Sunday to fit them all in, the bishop said.
The example set by other youths who have gone on missions has encouraged ward members to do the same, he said. "We have a great tradition of almost every young man serving a mission. We don't get them all, but we get 95 percent of them. We have a great tradition in families. We have families with two missionaries or with one out and others who have returned."
In addition to young men, the Centerville 9th Ward has sent out several young women and couple missionaries in the past five years, he said.
"We have good leaders, good parents and great kids. The example of the others is a real plus. The boys feel like it's the right thing to do and they are not afraid to do it."
The ward has missionaries in many parts of the world including Europe, Asia, South America, Central America, Canada and the United States.
Leaders in the ward and stake have been instrumental in motivating the missionaries to serve, Bishop Cloward said. Talks by the stake presidency and bishopric, and ward and stake firesides and activities geared toward missionary work have made a difference, he said.
