Decades After Two Missionaries Served in France, Their Sons Become Companions in Republic of Congo

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From the Africa Newsroom

Thirty-three years ago in the spring of 1991, Elder Jonathan Scheible from Germany and Elder Steven Evans of Utah met as full-time missionaries in Pau, France, which was part of the France Bordeaux Mission.

They served together as companions under the leadership of their mission president, Neil L. Andersen, who is now an Apostle. After being released, each later married women who also served in the same mission. Today, the Scheibles live in Grenzach-Wyhien, Germany, and the Evans live in Oshawa, Ontario. The Evanses and Scheibles have traveled back and forth to Germany and Canada to visit each other over the years.

In October 2022, the third Evans son, Elder Oscar Evans, began serving in the Republic of Congo Brazzaville Mission, which is a French-speaking mission in the Africa Central Area. As part of his duties, he was assigned to serve as the mission finance specialist. In that capacity, he noticed that Elder Alexander Scheible would soon be serving in Brazzaville.

Elder Evans told his mission president, President Brian E. Dunn, that his father and Elder Scheible’s father had served together in France 33 years before. President Dunn felt impressed to assign the two missionaries to work together like their fathers had — and the two young missionaries became fast friends.

Elder Evans and Elder Scheible stated: “We are truly grateful that we can continue the work of our parents, also teaching the gospel in French. What a special blessing. Who would have ever thought? We are very thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for friendships that last for eternity.”

The senior Evans and Scheible couples say they will stay connected and hope to serve together at a future time as senior missionaries as well.