The Bakersfield Mission is brand new as of July 1, 2013. They received their very first influx of missionaries to begin serving in this mission. There were 50 missionaries that arrived this day, Monday, August 5, 2013. My son, Elder Jonathan Nine, was supposed to be with this group, but ended up taking a later flight. It wasn't until later that I found out that he and two other Elders had held back for the later flight in order that the Sister Missionaries could take the earlier flight and not arrive into Bakersfield so late. That made me proud of him. At the same time, after watching this video, it made me a bit sad that he missed such an historic and welcoming arrival into his mission. C'est la vie.
I apologize to those of you who receive updates on my blog. You probably got like 100 of these. I had to keep resizing the video until it fit properly.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2013
For further information: Angela Frehner
Phone: (661) 664-8510 Cell: (661) 213-7741
Bakersfield on the ‘Missionary Map’
The newly-created California Bakersfield Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints just experienced an historic influx of young missionaries recently, with some
fifty young men and women arriving at Meadows Field on one day, Monday, August 5th.
An enthusiastic throng of some three hundred members and friends filled the terminal to
welcome the new arrivals. Jim and Jan Wilson of Cedar City, Utah, called to preside over the
new California Bakersfield mission, expressed great amazement at the size of the welcoming
throng. President Wilson was enthusiastic at the warm Bakersfield welcome. “We’re very
excited to have such great support here today to welcome these young men and women, who
come from all over the world at their own expense to serve right here in Bakersfield.”
Formerly part of the California Ventura Mission, Bakersfield is now headquarters for
missionaries serving in all Kern County communities, as well as high desert communities from
Palmdale up to Mammoth Lakes.
Missionaries' lives are completely dedicated to service and sharing the gospel of Jesus
Christ. Young missionaries forego education, dating, and work opportunities in order to focus on
their duties, which include spending several hours of their week serving communities. Locally,
missionaries that serve in Bakersfield have regularly participated in the Great American Cleanup
and Keep Bakersfield Beautiful projects, worked with the Bakersfield Police Department and
Kern County Sheriff’s Office to fill and deliver food baskets to the needy.
President and Sister Wilson embrace their new roles with enthusiasm. “We’re serving as
the mom and dad to two hundred and fifty missionaries as they are away from home, and we’re
very anxious for them to teach a special message and at the same time provide service to
individuals and communities.”
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are encouraged to emulate
Jesus Christ’s example of missionary service as recorded in biblical accounts of his ministry.
Church members today respond to the command given to the apostles to "Go ye into all the
world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).
I apologize to those of you who receive updates on my blog. You probably got like 100 of these. I had to keep resizing the video until it fit properly.
Here is a write-up done by the Church's local Public Affairs person:
August 7, 2013
For further information: Angela Frehner
Phone: (661) 664-8510 Cell: (661) 213-7741
Bakersfield on the ‘Missionary Map’
The newly-created California Bakersfield Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints just experienced an historic influx of young missionaries recently, with some
fifty young men and women arriving at Meadows Field on one day, Monday, August 5th.
An enthusiastic throng of some three hundred members and friends filled the terminal to
welcome the new arrivals. Jim and Jan Wilson of Cedar City, Utah, called to preside over the
new California Bakersfield mission, expressed great amazement at the size of the welcoming
throng. President Wilson was enthusiastic at the warm Bakersfield welcome. “We’re very
excited to have such great support here today to welcome these young men and women, who
come from all over the world at their own expense to serve right here in Bakersfield.”
Formerly part of the California Ventura Mission, Bakersfield is now headquarters for
missionaries serving in all Kern County communities, as well as high desert communities from
Palmdale up to Mammoth Lakes.
Missionaries' lives are completely dedicated to service and sharing the gospel of Jesus
Christ. Young missionaries forego education, dating, and work opportunities in order to focus on
their duties, which include spending several hours of their week serving communities. Locally,
missionaries that serve in Bakersfield have regularly participated in the Great American Cleanup
and Keep Bakersfield Beautiful projects, worked with the Bakersfield Police Department and
Kern County Sheriff’s Office to fill and deliver food baskets to the needy.
President and Sister Wilson embrace their new roles with enthusiasm. “We’re serving as
the mom and dad to two hundred and fifty missionaries as they are away from home, and we’re
very anxious for them to teach a special message and at the same time provide service to
individuals and communities.”
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are encouraged to emulate
Jesus Christ’s example of missionary service as recorded in biblical accounts of his ministry.
Church members today respond to the command given to the apostles to "Go ye into all the
world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).
3 comments:
I know Jonathan will be a wonderful missionary. I wish him the best in his labors.
Thanks so much for posting this blog and videos. I am a lifelong resident(55 years) of Bakersfield and member of the church. President Wilson and his wife are also in our ward (Brimhall Ward). I want you to know what a blessing it is to have your son here. I have not yet personally met him as we have sister missionaries in our ward, but I can tell you that he was sent here for a reason and that is to not only share the Gospel and bless the lives of others, but also to bless his own (and your) lives. Thanks so much for raising such a fine young man. He is in good hands. President Wilson and his wife are wonderful people. May God bless him and your family!
Jim Waite
jlwaite@gmail.com
The calling to be a missionary is indeed a great responsibility, but also incredibly rewarding. Thanks for sharing!
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