For single men desiring to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints later in life, now is their chance.
The Utah-based faith announced Friday that unmarried men ages 40 and above — who do not have dependent children living at home — are now eligible to serve full-time missions in family history, area and mission offices and in positions that draw on their life experience, be it medical, legal or other.
Unlike the faith’s younger missionaries, these single senior elders will not be placed in companionships. And they can serve for six, 12, 18 or 23 months.
Also on Friday, the governing First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles announced an increase in possible positions for single women, ages 40 and older. Included in these new roles are visitor centers, historic sites and employment offices. Previous positions were largely restricted to family history and support for congregations and mission offices.
The expansion, effective Nov. 1, is designed, a news release stated, to “fully embrace the gifts, talents and experiences of more church members around the world.”
The release further noted that full-time senior missionaries, as they’re known, typically work 40-hour weeks and live away from home.
The church’s website listing current openings for senior missionaries indicated an overwhelming need for senior men to fill in as mission health advisers and office specialists everywhere from Brazil to Cambodia to Iowa.
The site listed similar opportunities for senior women, as well as positions worldwide for “member and leader support.”
This announcement comes a year after the church, citing an influx of new missionaries, revealed it was launching 36 new missions around the world, boosting the total number to 450.
