The following information is taken from: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/service-missionary/a-custom-experience
What are youth service missions?
President Russell M. Nelson declared: “Through a lifetime of service in this Church, I have learned that it really doesn’t matter where one serves. What the Lord cares about is how one serves” (“Ministering with the Power and Authority of God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 68).
Each service missionary is provided a customized mission experience uniquely tailored to his or her talents, skills, and gifts. During the course of their missions, it is common for service missionaries to serve in multiple assignments, including approved charitable organizations, Church operations, and stake-assigned service opportunities. Throughout their missions, service missionaries are under the ecclesiastical direction of their stake presidents.
Each service missionary is provided a customized mission experience uniquely tailored to his or her talents, skills, and gifts. During the course of their missions, it is common for service missionaries to serve in multiple assignments, including approved charitable organizations, Church operations, and stake-assigned service opportunities. Throughout their missions, service missionaries are under the ecclesiastical direction of their stake presidents.
How are youth service missionaries called?
A missionary candidate does not choose which kind of mission he or she will serve. All applicants are considered first for proselyting missions. Young men and women who are unable to be called as proselyting missionaries for physical, mental, or emotional reasons are called as service missionaries. If an applicant is called as a service missionary, the service is tailored to the applicant’s unique talents, skills, and gifts and to the local environment.
A stake president does not determine whether an applicant is called to a proselyting mission or a service mission. During the application process, stake presidents continue to provide information as requested by the Missionary Department. If a candidate will not be called to a proselyting mission, a representative from the Missionary Department will counsel with the stake president before a service mission call is issued. The stake president uses judgment to determine whether he should notify the applicant and family that a service mission call is forthcoming.
On the application, bishops and stake presidents answer the question, “Does this candidate have a serious physical, mental, or emotional limitation that should be considered when assigned?” If the answer is yes, priesthood leaders will be asked to provide additional information. Priesthood leaders should also discuss with the candidate the possibility of being honorably excused.
A stake president does not determine whether an applicant is called to a proselyting mission or a service mission. During the application process, stake presidents continue to provide information as requested by the Missionary Department. If a candidate will not be called to a proselyting mission, a representative from the Missionary Department will counsel with the stake president before a service mission call is issued. The stake president uses judgment to determine whether he should notify the applicant and family that a service mission call is forthcoming.
On the application, bishops and stake presidents answer the question, “Does this candidate have a serious physical, mental, or emotional limitation that should be considered when assigned?” If the answer is yes, priesthood leaders will be asked to provide additional information. Priesthood leaders should also discuss with the candidate the possibility of being honorably excused.
Reassignment to Service Mission from Proselyting Mission
Some missionaries initially assigned to a proselyting mission will not be able to complete their missions for a variety of reasons. The determination that a proselyting missionary is incapable of continuing is made by the mission president in consultation with the mission health council, the Missionary Department, and the missionary’s stake president.
When the determination has been made that a proselyting missionary will return home, a second determination will be made, as explained below, as to whether the missionary should be released or reassigned to a service mission. A representative from the Missionary Department notifies the stake president of the early-returning missionary. Upon the return of the missionary, the stake president counsels with the missionary to assess the desire, circumstances, and ability of the missionary to continue serving as a service missionary. The stake president determines whether to consider reassignment of the missionary to a service mission or to release the missionary.
If the stake president releases the missionary, he notifies the Missionary Department. If reassignment is to be considered, a customized service mission plan is created in consultation with the missionary, his or her family, and a service mission leader, if one is called. If reassignment is recommended, the missionary will receive a service mission reassignment by the Quorum of the Twelve.
When the determination has been made that a proselyting missionary will return home, a second determination will be made, as explained below, as to whether the missionary should be released or reassigned to a service mission. A representative from the Missionary Department notifies the stake president of the early-returning missionary. Upon the return of the missionary, the stake president counsels with the missionary to assess the desire, circumstances, and ability of the missionary to continue serving as a service missionary. The stake president determines whether to consider reassignment of the missionary to a service mission or to release the missionary.
If the stake president releases the missionary, he notifies the Missionary Department. If reassignment is to be considered, a customized service mission plan is created in consultation with the missionary, his or her family, and a service mission leader, if one is called. If reassignment is recommended, the missionary will receive a service mission reassignment by the Quorum of the Twelve.
Other resources
Arizona Tucson Service Missionary Area
Service Mission Leaders: Gary and Lee Clark
1-520-305-5019 (Gary)
1-520-834-7187 (Lee)
garold.clark@ChurchofJesusChrist.org
leona.clark@ChurchofJesusChrist.org
ChurchofJesusChrist.org/service-missionary
1-520-305-5019 (Gary)
1-520-834-7187 (Lee)
garold.clark@ChurchofJesusChrist.org
leona.clark@ChurchofJesusChrist.org
ChurchofJesusChrist.org/service-missionary