GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a ward is a congregation that meets each Sunday for worship services. A stake is a geographical grouping of several wards. The Gridley California Stake serves three wards in Gridley and three wards in Oroville. The stake also includes three branches, which are smaller congregations than wards, that serve specific memberships: Spanish-speaking, Hmong-speaking, and young single adults.

 Justin Tolman, Drew Henry, and Paul Fairbanks have been chosen by senior church leaders, and sustained by local members, to serve as the new stake presidency of the Gridley California Stake. They will provide leadership, counsel, and other administrative direction to local leaders and members.

In his first address, President Tolman read this scripture from The Book of Mormon: “And they did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the Holy Ghost should be given unto them.” Tolman asked stake members to sacrifice one thing and add one thing that would strengthen the influence of the Holy Ghost in their lives. He also requested their prayers on behalf of the new presidency.

It is likely that Tolman’s tenure as stake president will include the construction and completion of the new temple announced for the Yuba City area. Because temples are especially sacred buildings in The Church of Jesus Christ, this event will be historical and significant for the membership in the Gridley-Oroville area.

Tolman and his wife, Libby, and their family live in Gridley. He works at Three Rivers Optometry in Yuba City. Henry and his wife Sarah, and their family live in Oroville, where he works at Laundry Jet. Fairbanks and his wife, Sarah, and their family live in Oroville, where he works at Pacific Coast Producers.

The three leaders follow the tenure of Benjamin Payne, Keith Stutznegger, and Blane Sannar. Payne served as stake president for nine years.