Colorado Springs LDS Church Sustains New Leadership Under the Direction of an Apostle

Elder Holland emphasizes "Love Multiplied," while setting apart Kevin Woodward as the New North Stake President

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, May 19, 2008 - The Colorado Springs Colorado North (CSCN) Stake, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sustained Kevin C. Woodward as its new Stake President, with Brent K. Ashby as First Counselor, and David A. Powell as Second Counselor. The action took place as part of the CSCN stake conference on Sunday, May 18 th, presided over by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, with Elder Carlos A. Godoy of the First Quorum of the Seventy in attendance.

"I am very humbled by this invitation to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in the capacity of the president of the Colorado Springs Colorado Springs North Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." said President Woodward. "It is my fervent desire to continually strive to do what the Savior would do, to reach out in love and to be of service to all who reside in this marvelous community of Colorado Springs."

The changes in leadership were necessitated by the recent calling of Benson L. Porter, the former CSCN Stake President, to serve as the Mission President of the New Zealand Auckland Mission. President Porter and his two counselors, Kevin G. Fink and Kurt R. Kofford, were released on Sunday prior to the sustaining of the new Stake Presidency.

Elder Holland shared with the congregation the unique process of leadership change in the LDS Church, where no one can aspire or volunteer for a position and is instead called by way of inspiration as part of an all volunteer lay ministry.

Elders Holland and Godoy arrived in Colorado Springs on Friday evening not knowing any of the 25 priesthood holders who would be interviewed for the position. By Saturday afternoon, after a series of five minute interviews followed by confirmation through prayer, President Woodward and his counselors were called-by Sunday afternoon they were sustained by the congregation and set apart.

During his talk, Elder Holland emphasized that in the gospel of Jesus Christ love is never divided, but rather multiplied, relating this principle to the affections of incoming and outgoing leadership. Elder Holland left an Apostolic blessing on the congregation before departing.

President Woodward was born in Sacramento California on March 12 th, 1958 and is a Systems Engineer at Lockheed Martin Corporation. He currently resides with his wife, the former Tammy Johnson, in the Northgate area of Colorado Springs. They have three Children. President Ashby as first counselor is married to the former Katherine Wallace and is an administrator at the Audubon Surgery Center. President Powell as second counselor is married to the former Connie Owen and is the agent/owner of Dave Powell Insurance Agency, Inc.

President Woodward and his counselors will oversee church administration for more than 3,500 church members across 10 wards of the Church throughout North Colorado Springs. The greater Colorado Springs/Pueblo area is home to nearly 19,000 Latter-day Saints in five stakes, constituting 49 wards and branches.