First Branch Created in The Gambia 

President Daniel W. Lewis, President of the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan West Mission (The Church’s acting ecclesiastical leader in the West African country of The Gambia), organized the Banjul Branch at a meeting of Church members on June 10, 2022. His wife Betty Jo accompanied him.

As part of this organization, the Banjul Branch and The Gambia became part of the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan West Mission.

President Lewis said “We can hardly express how amazing this has been. The Lord is doing his work here and hastening it in His time.” President Samuel Amako, the new Branch President also added, "This day is certainly a day of answered prayers- prayers of years of hands lifted up to the heavens for divine countenance to smile on this Sahelian beauty- The Gambia. This day is a day of triumph granted by the grace, mercy and love of a loving Heavenly Father, who is no respecter of persons and loves all His children and all His creations." He continued, "Our gratitude is certainly boundless and will forever remain so. The miracle of The Gambia is a testament of the power of the holy Priesthood, a testament of the power of faith, a testament of the power of prayer, a testament of the beauty of God's love, mercy and grace. The Gambia is another testament of the truthfulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints. Hallelujah!"

This small, but strong, branch came about after the visit of Elder D. Todd Christofferson. In March of this year, Elder Christofferson visited West Africa and was able to meet with many government officials in The Gambia. This helped pave the way for legal status of the Church in The Gambia.