The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Creates a New Stake in North Texas

Featured Image: Little Elm Stake presidency, left to right, President Cary Johnson, President Douglas Freeman, President Bryan Tolbert. Photo by Richard Platt.

On a recent Sunday morning, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered at the Coliseum on the campus of the University of North Texas in Denton to hear about the realignment of congregations in Frisco, Little Elm, Prosper, and surrounding communities.

This area is among the fastest-growing in the country due to its healthy economy, vibrant job market, and affordable housing. That growth has included a steady and significant increase in the number of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Due to the increase, the Church created a new stake, The Little Elm Stake.

Congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ are organized geographically, and members attend worship services near their home. Each member belongs to a stake, which is similar to a Catholic diocese. Each stake has several smaller congregations called wards.

The new Little Elm Stake has approximately 2,600 members and is comprised of the following seven congregations: Aubrey, Cross Roads, Frisco 6^th, Little Elm 1st Ward, Little Elm 2^nd Ward, Little Elm 3^rd Ward, and Oak Point Ward. The Little Elm Stake will be led by President Douglas Freeman with First Counselor Cary Jones and Second Counselor Bryan Tolbert.

The Prosper Stake (formerly known as the Frisco Shawnee Trail Stake) now has approximately 2,900 members and includes the following eight congregations: Celina 1^st Ward, Frisco 2^nd Ward, Frisco 8^th Ward, Frisco 9^th Ward, Prosper 1^st Ward, Prosper 2^nd Ward, Prosper 3^rd Ward, and Prosper 4^th Ward. The Prosper Stake is led by President Richard Platt with newly called First Counselor Brian Perkes and with Second Counselor Rich Gillespie.

The Frisco Stake has nearly 3,100 members and now includes the following eight congregations: Frisco 1^st Ward, Frisco 3^rd Ward, Frisco 4^th Ward, Frisco 5^th Ward, Frisco 7^th Ward, Frisco 10^th Ward, The Colony Ward, and the Young Single Adult Branch. The Frisco Stakes continues to be led by President Kris Katseanes with First Counselor Taylor Frederickson and newly called Second Counselor Kory Aoyama.

Together, the Frisco Stake, the new Little Elm Stake, and the realigned Prosper Stake make up 8,600 members of the 52,500 members in the Dallas area. Across the globe, the Church has more than 30,500 congregations and 16.3 million members, with the majority living outside the U.S. The Church functions well in large measure because of the unpaid, volunteer ministry of its members. This lay ministry is one of the Church’s most defining characteristics. Members are encouraged to give charitable and community service, care for the poor and needy, enhance the quality of life in the community, and follow the example of Jesus Christ.