Training leaders, baptizing, and becoming: essential qualities of successful missionaries in the California Riverside Mission!

At the end of the week of outgoing and incoming missionaries, we began our leadership meetings, first with the Mission Leadership Council (MLC) on Thursday and the District Leader Training on Friday. We were excited to welcome several new zone, district, and sister training leaders. It is incredible to watch the growth and develop of these young people.

Zone and Sister Training Leaders--phenomenal young men and women--
all future leaders of the Church!

The MLC set a new mission baptismal goal for both June and July, very healthy goals that should stretch this mission and each of us. We also spent time on the following subjects: “becoming leaders and examples and establishing and maintaining the Lord’s culture”; “the why of accountability”; “setting up, following through, and assessing goals”; “adjusting to missionary life”; “working with ward councils”; “Preach My Gospel: following patterns” (strengths and weaknesses); “Sacrifice vs. Consecration and Sanctification”; and “expectation of leaders: becoming what we need to become." The Assistants (Elders Sorensen and Briggs), President Norman (Mission Presidency), Sister Hammon, and I were the presenters/facilitators.

Some things we learned about "becoming" what we need to become!

We have wonderful new and current district leaders! We extended the times for this training session because of conversations with district leaders and what we felt we needed to train on. 

New and current district leaders--all emerging leaders who continue to grow and progress and develop!

We touched on “becoming leaders and examples and establishing and maintaining the Lord’s culture,” “gaining trust of members and missionaries,” “kind and judicious correction,” the how of running a district meeting,” namebers vs. numbers,” “setting goals for the district,” “expectations of leaders and the Mission Training Plan,” “working with sister missionaries (three STLs—Sisters Harper, Marks, and Palmer—beamed in on Skype), “Preach My Gospel: short and powerful lessons,” “How to do nightly calls and using spiritual questions,” “PPIs,” and “Baptismal Interviews.” Sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? Well, it was, and we hope the district leaders left with a tablet full of useful information they can now share with their districts. Please ask your district leader about any of these topics.

Some things district leaders discussed!

We love baptisms in our mission. They have become one of the highlights we experience. Sister Hammon and I had the privilege to attend both Brandi’s (Sisters Marks, Fountaine, and Preator) and Jordan’s baptism (Sisters Rossignoli, Fortin, and Loranger). What great baptisms! I had the great privilege of baptizing Brandi. I had not performed a baptism for a very long time although I have attended many. There is something special about seeing someone come out of the water for the first time after being baptized. Refreshing. Rejuvenation. A change of heart. We enjoyed meeting Brandi’s husband, Daniel. 

President Hammon; Daniel, Brandi, and Janette; Sisters Marks, Fountaine, and Preator

Also, Elders Steed and Darling gave a restoration presentation at Brandi’s baptism. Plus, Sisters Gray and Fortin sang a special musical number while Sister Marks played. During Jordan’s baptism, Sisters Rossignoli and Fortin sang beautifully, and Elders Medearis and Komers gave the restoration presentation.

Elders Steed and Darling

A young man named Jordan came into the church because of his girlfriend and her family. What amazing influences are young women and their families on young men. 

Zach (baptizer); Jordan; Aliza; and Sisters Rossignoli, Fortin, and Loranger.

Enrique and his wife Isabela were baptized as well. Many missionaries have taught them. With great faith and spiritual effort they were both baptized.

Hermanas Padilla (who returned), Buitrago, Tonini; Enrique and his wife Isabela;
Hermanas Sorensen, Harper, Esplin, Flores; and Elders Osberg and Baily (kneeling)

Serving and being with missionaries continue to be two incredible privileges for us. As they grow and progress and develop, so do we. Like they are, we are becoming what the Lord wants us to become, and we are enjoying it thoroughly.