All articles tagged with #missionaries
In 2025, 17 Catholic missionaries and pastoral workers were killed worldwide, with Africa, especially Nigeria, being the most affected, highlighting ongoing violence and risks faced by religious workers in conflict zones.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the creation of 55 new missions worldwide, increasing the total to 506, to accommodate the growing number of missionaries and congregations, with over 84,000 missionaries currently serving.
BYU's 2025 football recruiting class includes 18 new signees, with 8 set to serve missions before enrolling. The program also anticipates the return of missionaries from previous classes, though roster changes and a new defensive staff may affect their enrollment. The focus is on scholarship players, with several from the 2022 and 2023 classes potentially joining the team, depending on their return dates.
The film 'Heretic,' featuring Hugh Grant as a villainous professor, has sparked reactions from the Mormon community due to its portrayal of Mormon missionaries and its critique of religious beliefs. The psychological horror film, directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, explores themes of faith and doubt, drawing both criticism from the Mormon church and praise from ex-Mormons for its realistic depiction of missionary life. The film has prompted discussions on faith, belief, and the challenges faced by young missionaries.
Two 20-year-old Latter-day Saint missionaries, Elder Robert "Tommy" Gardner from Riverton and Elder Jacob Aaron Kesler from Ely, Nevada, were killed in a car crash on a North Dakota highway after their SUV collided with a stopped semitruck. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints expressed condolences to their families and friends. The crash is under investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol.
Two missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Jacob Aaron Kesler and Elder Robert “Tommy” Gardner, both 20, died in a traffic accident in North Dakota when their vehicle struck a semi-trailer truck. The Church expressed condolences to their families and fellow missionaries.
Hundreds gathered in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to mourn Judes Montis, a mission director, and Davy and Natalie Lloyd, a young American couple, all killed by gang members. The victims were ambushed after a youth group activity, leading to a tragic loss that has deeply affected their families and the local community. The incident highlights the ongoing violence and gang control in Haiti, with the police vowing to arrest those responsible despite being under-resourced.
Two American missionaries and a Haitian director were killed by gang members in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, amid escalating violence and delayed deployment of a Kenyan-led peacekeeping force. The country has been in turmoil since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, with gangs controlling large parts of the capital and the Haitian National Police overwhelmed. The U.S. is funding the peacekeeping mission, but delays and logistical issues raise concerns about its effectiveness in restoring order.
Former President Donald Trump offered condolences to Missouri state Rep. Ben Baker for the loss of his daughter Natalie Lloyd and her husband Davy Lloyd, who were killed by gang members in Haiti. Trump remarked on the couple's beauty, saying they "looked like models," and expressed a desire for the criminals to be brought to justice. The couple, who worked for Missions In Haiti Inc., were ambushed and killed along with a local director, Jude Montis. Their bodies are being transported back to Missouri amid security concerns.
A young missionary couple from the U.S., Davy and Natalie Lloyd, along with local mission director Jude Montis, were killed by gang members in Haiti while leaving a church activity. The couple's bodies are being transported to Missouri amid security concerns. The incident highlights the severe gang violence in Port-au-Prince, where 80% of the city is controlled by gangs. The families are grieving, and efforts are underway to ensure the safe return of the bodies to the U.S.
An American missionary couple, Davy and Natalie Lloyd, along with a local director, were killed by gang members in Haiti's capital. David Lloyd, Davy's father, recounted a phone call during the attack where his son described being trapped and shot at. The area is heavily controlled by gangs, complicating any investigation. The couple had recently moved to Haiti for full-time missionary work.
A local director of a mission group in Haiti and a young missionary couple from the U.S. were fatally shot by gang members after leaving a church activity in northern Port-au-Prince. The attack highlights the severe gang violence in the capital, which controls 80% of the city. The missionaries were involved in humanitarian work focused on helping children in Haiti. The incident has left grieving families and underscores the urgent need for international intervention to address the escalating violence in the country.
Missionaries Davy and Natalie Baker Lloyd were killed by gang violence in Haiti while on the phone with Davy's father, David Lloyd. The couple, who were ambushed by two gangs, were tied up, beaten, and eventually shot and burned. Natalie was the daughter of Missouri State Rep. Ben Baker. The families are working to bring their bodies back to the US.
A local director of a mission group in Haiti and a young missionary couple from the U.S. were fatally shot by gang members after leaving a church activity in northern Port-au-Prince. The victims, Jude Montis and Davy and Natalie Lloyd, were involved in humanitarian work focused on helping Haitian children. The attack highlights the severe gang violence in Haiti, where gangs control 80% of the capital. The families of the victims are working to bring their bodies back to the U.S. for burial.
A young U.S. missionary couple, Davy and Natalie Lloyd, and a Haitian colleague, Jude Montis, were killed by gang members in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The attack occurred as they were leaving a church activity, highlighting the severe gang violence in the capital, which controls 80% of the city. The U.S. State Department reiterated its "do not travel" advisory for Haiti, emphasizing the urgent need for international intervention to address the escalating violence.