The Spartanburg Stake Presidency with their families. (Courtesy photo).
UPSTATE — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the creation of a new stake in Upstate South Carolina following significant membership growth in Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Pickens, and Laurens counties. A stake is similar to a Catholic diocese and includes several congregations.
Under the direction of senior Church leadership, Elder Craig C. Christiansen, General Authority Seventy and President of the United States Southeast Area, presided at the stake conference held at the Greenville Convention Center, where nearly 4,000 gathered on Sunday, including those via broadcast. He was accompanied by Elder Richard G. Youngblood, Area Seventy. Each stake is led by a stake president, a lay leader who serves voluntarily while maintaining a professional career.
Spartanburg Stake
The newly created Spartanburg Stake was formed from the Greenville East stake. The stake includes congregations in Spartanburg, Duncan, Inman, Boiling Springs, Gaffney, Roebuck, and Union. Dale Kitchen was called to serve as the new stake president. He and his wife, Loranna, reside in Boiling Springs and have seven children. On the recent changes, President Kitchen said “As a church, we’re enjoying the same growth and energy as the upstate of South Carolina. There is a reason people like to move here. It’s a beautiful place to be. The culture here is beautiful. The friendliness and openness of our neighbors is something we cherish and hope to emulate as members of the church. We have felt their welcome and are glad to be a part of this beautiful area.” He also shared his testimony, saying “Jesus Christ’s atonement is the power by which we can increase our capacity to love one another, to forgive one another, to serve one another, and that the joy of that daily repentance that Christ offers us, comes because He heals us, and regains our capacity to love more abundantly, and to forgive in ways which heal all of us around one another.” His counselors are Buck Bagwell of Spartanburg, and Timothy McMurray of Boiling Springs.
Simpsonville Stake
As part of the reorganization, the Greenville East Stake has been renamed the Simpsonville Stake. It includes congregations in Simpsonville, Mauldin, Five Forks, Piedmont, Fountain Inn, Laurens, and Greenwood. Russell Miskin moved from leading the Greenville East Stake to leading the Simpsonville Stake. He and his wife, Jenifer, live in Greenville and have seven children. Regarding his faith, President Miskin shared, “I find a great rejuvenation, joy, love, and invigoration by reading from the scriptures each day. They have helped me come to better know, with a personal relationship, my Savior, Jesus Christ.” His counselors are James O’Neill II of Simpsonville, and Russell Jones of Simpsonville.
Greenville Stake
Jason Jones will continue as the Greenville Stake President, which includes congregations from the Greenville, Taylors, Greer, Travelers Rest, Easley, Pickens, Clemson, Seneca, and Anderson areas. President Jones and his wife, Jessica, have 5 children and live in Powdersville. He said “I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and He has a great work for us to do. Serving Him is one of our life’s purposes.” Counselors Byron Dial, of Anderson, and Grant Cluxton, of Easley, will serve alongside President Jason Jones.
Stake presidents in the Church typically serve for about nine years and are responsible for overseeing the spiritual and organizational needs of their stake. Their responsibilities include training local leaders, supporting missionary efforts, and ministering to individual members.
South Carolina is home to nearly 46,000 Latter-day Saints who attend about 85 congregations. The first members in the Upstate met near Gaffney in the 1880s and in Seneca by 1895. The first congregation in Greenville was formed in 1912.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a global Christian faith of over 17 million members, dedicated to helping all of God’s children come to know and follow Jesus Christ. With over 31,000 congregations in more than 160 countries and territories, its members strive to live His teachings by strengthening families and serving their communities.
For more information, visit comeuntochrist.org.