Free resources about the Texas Houston South Mission:
- Mission address and phone number
- Mission map
- Video interviews with returned missionaries
- Missionary blogs
- Facebook groups
- LDS Mission t-shirts and gifts
- List of past mission presidents
- Cultural articles written by returned missionaries
- Survey with RMs
*Other Mission Pages: Texas LDS Missions.
Houston South Mission Address
Here’s a recent address for the Houston South Mission. We try to keep this information up to date, but it’s a good idea to check the address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.
Texas Houston South Mission
602 Eldridge Rd
Sugar Land, TX 77478
Phone Number: 1-281-565-7117
Mission President: President Aaron T. Hall
Houston South Mission Map
Here’s a link to the mission map for the Houston South Mission (LDS). To access the official LDS.org map for the Houston South Mission:
Videos with Houston South RMs
Here are in-depth YouTube video interviews with returned missionaries from the Houston South Mission. We interview hundreds of returned missionaries each year, so check back regularly to see new RM interviews.
LDS-Friendly Videos about Texas
Here are LDS-friendly educational videos about Texas. We scoured YouTube to find the best quality videos about Texas, that are free from inappropriate music, immodesty and profanity.
Houston South Missionary Blogs
Here’s a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Houston South Mission. This list includes the missionary’s name, URL and when their blog was updated.
Houston South Mission Groups
Here are Houston South Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the Houston South Mission.
- Houston South Mission (President Saylin Era) Group (391 members)
- Houston South Mission Pres. Allred 2006-09 Group (140 members)
- Houston South Mission 1996-99 Pres. Pratt Group (114 members)
- Texas Houston South Mission Facebook Group (34 members)
- Houston South Spanish Speaking Sisters! Group (26 members)
- Houston East & South Mission Moms (LDS) Group (12 members)
- Texas Houston South Mission Facebook Group (12 members)
- The Great Houston Texas South Mission Group (9 members)
- Houston South Mission President Nieffenegger Group (3 members)
Houston South Mission T-Shirts
Here are T-shirts for the Texas Houston South Mission!
Shirt designs include Houston South Mission logo/emblem shirts and Called to Serve shirts. The shirts make great gifts for pre-missionaries, returned missionaries and missionaries currently serving. LDS Mission shirts come in all sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, up to 4XL. The mission designs are printed on white shirts and are shipped to you.
*Simply click on a shirt design to view the details and submit an order. The designs on mission t-shirts may also be printed on other LDS mission gifts, including: Houston South missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.
*Click here to browse Houston South Mission gifts
Houston South Mission Presidents
Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Houston South Mission.
- 2015-2018, Aaron T. Hall
- 2012-2015, Brian K. Ashton
- 2009-2012, Gregory M. Saylin
- 2006-2009, Calvin W. Allred
- 2003-2006, Fredrick J. Lee
- 2000-2003, Randolph C. Nieffenegger
- 1997-2000, Brent K. Pratt
Texas LDS Statistics (2015)
- Church Membership: 334,772
- Missions: 8
- Temples: 4
- Congregations: 635
- Family History Centers: 11
Helpful Articles about Texas
Houston South Missionary Survey
Here are survey responses from Texas Houston South RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it’s like to live in the mission.
*Click here to take a survey to help pre-missionaries going to your mission.
When did you serve?
- 2010-2012 (Kyle)
- 2008-2010 (Steve)
- 2009-2011 (Dacia)
- 2009-2011 (Johnathon)
- 2011-2013 (Riley)
- 2009-2010 (Katie)
- 2009-2010 (Brittany)
- 1998-2000 (Jared)
- 1997-1999 (Darci)
- 1997-1999 (Bleu)
- 2015-2017 (Benjamin)
What areas did you serve in?
- Victoria, Mission Bend, Alief, Broadway, Sugar Land. (Kyle)
- Lake Jackson, League City, Sugar Land, Friendswood. (Steve)
- Rosenberg, Richmond, Victoria, and Houston. (Dacia)
- Victoria 2, Rosenburg, Rosen Park 1, Friendswood 1, Rosen Park 3, Richmond 2. (Johnathon)
- Houston, Victoria, Port Lavaca. (Riley)
- Galveston Island, Missouri City, South Houston. (Katie)
- Houston, Mission Bend, Sugar Land, Alief, and Galveston. (Brittany)
- La Marquette, Richmond, Baycliff. (Jared)
- Seabrook, Rosenberg/Richmond, Victoria. (Darci)
- Bay City, Rosenberg, Friendswood, Maplewood. (Bleu)
- Houston, Lake Jackson, Angleton, Richmond, League City, Dickerson. (Benjamin)
What were some favorite foods?
- Bbq, pho, anything Mexican. (Kyle)
- Kelley’s Country Cookin. Red River BBQ in League City. On the River in Freeport. Anything fajitas. Always ask for Pecan Pie if members want to do dessert. (Steve)
- All Mexican food, and of course Texas BBQ. (Dacia)
- Steak, Tex Mex, Mexican food and sushi. There was just a lot of great stuff to try. (Johnathon)
- Fajita marinada. (Riley)
- Posole, Pupusas, Tres Leches ; ) Chile Relleno, Pollo de Michoacana. (Katie)
- Pupusa, kolache, and torta. (Brittany)
- Brisquet, Gumbo. (Jared)
- Spanish rice and BBQ. (Darci)
- Enchiladas, Blue Bell ice cream, brisket. (Bleu)
- I LOVED Tex-Mex and Texan BBQ! (Benjamin)
What was a funny experience?
- Having my companion Elder Stevenett almost fall off his bike because the “Red Bull” girls honked and wave to us, and then having to face them as they turned the corner. (Kyle)
- Anytime you realize halfway into a lesson that THEY are actually trying to convert YOU. (Steve)
- While waiting for the elders at Walmart, one guy pulled up and asked me how much we were. I was so excited he was seeking us out, and I excitedly told him we were free! He was totally surprised and asked if we stayed in a hotel. I told him we had an apartment, but that we would come to his house. This went on for FIVE minutes before I realized he wasn’t looking for Jesus…. (Dacia)
- Elder Esplin telling about his near death experience. (Johnathon)
- Getting pulled over while riding in someone’s car seconds after they plugged in their police scanner then having to translate for the cops. (Riley)
- My companion’s bike seat fell off mid-ride–twice. We laughed all the way to our next appointment. (Katie)
- Getting proposed to by all the drunk men every weekend was interesting. One guy even told me I could live with with him and his wife at his beach house in Mexico. (Brittany)
- Feeding the cows on a ranch in Richmond. Gosh I wish I remembered the members name that owned the ranch. (Darci)
- A prank I pulled on a new sister missionary that I was training. I told her a couple from the ward and the wife’s mother were a polygamist family. They were in on it and she was freaking out. It was so funny. I did tell her the truth but only after messing with her a bit. (Bleu)
What was a crazy experience?
- We brought a member along with us to a lesson, and as we were teaching, one of the investigators told the member he had a bug on his shirt collar. As we look we see, 10 small bugs pour out of his shirt collar, and realized they were bed bugs. We had to cancel the lesson and take him home, and were not invited back by the investigators. (Kyle)
- Being in the thick of hurricane alley sure helps. We had Hurricane Ike in fall of 2008 and it reshaped my entire mission. (Steve)
- Serving in downtown Houston. Is that enough? 🙂 (Dacia)
- Biking in China Town. (Johnathon)
- Getting cans thrown at us from moving cars. (Riley)
- Getting robbed, being stopped by a drug dealer, proselyting on the same street where a shooting occurred the night before. Scabies, bed bugs, cockroaches (hoarders homes carry roaches). (Katie)
- I lived in Alief for one transfer. Every day was an adventure there! (Brittany)
- Finding out that our newest convert ended up telling my companion he had killed someone in his past and he said we were in danger now, so we had to move in with the hermanas. (Darci)
- My first area was really scary! We had police that would stop us and say we shouldn’t be in that neighborhood and to get out. Once some guy chased our car. We also got chased by a chow dog too. (Bleu)
What was a spiritual experience?
- My companion and I had a very rough morning full of rejection, and I decided I would contact one more person before we went in for lunch. I contacted a lady who was having a garage sale, and she invited us back to come the next day. When we taught the first lesson, she told us she had goosebumps as we told the first vision. She was baptized 3 weeks later, and is now attending the Texas Houston South Mission Secretary. (Kyle)
- There are so many. Texas is a place where people so naturally have a love for each other. Whenever we could help someone come to Christ, and they were so naturally embraced by the ward with that refreshing Texas hospitality was so special to see. (Steve)
- So, so many. One in particular was when President challenged us to have a baptism in four weeks. We were teaching NO ONE, and we were in a hard area. We went to work right away and knocked over 300 doors in an apartment complex that week. We ended up having ONE person invite us back, and he was our baptism on that weekend that President had set. It was absolutely nothing shy of a miracle. (Dacia)
- Finding new investigators always seemed to be great spiritual experience. (Johnathon)
- It was spiritual every time we just did what we thought were good things and finding that we were where we needed to be for certain people in need. (Riley)
- Having so many investigators believe our message and want to learn more. The best part is when they’re intrinsically motivated to progress on their own–reading the Book Of Mormon, going to church, etc. (Katie)
- The Lord blessed me with some much-needed language skills when I invited an investigator to be baptized my first transfer. (Brittany)
- Satan was really working on me and wanted me off that mission. He even spoke to me and it seriously scared the crap out of me. My companion and I blessed the apartment and had the priesthood come and give me a blessing. I ended up calling my parents with the president’s permission and my dad told me the exact same thing happened to him. In the end it was the most spiritual experience as I then had a testimony of Satans power’s and that the Gospel is so much stronger. (Darci)
- Teaching the Fonsecas was a highlight for me. The Spirit was very present in our discussions and I knew without a doubt that I was a tool in the Lord’s hands in teaching them. (Bleu)
What are some interesting facts about the Houston South Mission?
- Houston is the 4th largest city in the nation. Our mission had a total of 4 languages that missionaries could be called go to. (Kyle)
- I got to talk with Nolan Ryan Hakeem Olaijuwan about the Book of Mormon. We, at one point, were the most improved mission in the country in terms of convert baptisms and church attendance. It snowed twice. (Steve)
- IT’S HOT! (Dacia)
- It is huge and small all at the same time. (Johnathon)
- You will not find a better variety of really good food, so don’t waste your time or money eating at some chain restaurants that exist in your home town. (Riley)
- It’s the best mission in the world. Sugarland (one area of many) is one of the safest neighborhoods in the Unite States. NASA has lots of history there and there are many facilities you can tour to learn more. Schlitterbaun is one of the largest and coolest waterparks in the country–found on Galveston Island. The missionaries are often found doing service as the yellow ‘helping hands’ group because Houston has been affected by many hurricanes. (Katie)
- Oh dear, it was so new when I served, in fact I came in the same month it was created. (Darci)
- It’s a huge melting pot. You could knock on 7 different doors in an apartment complex and have people from 7 different countries open each door. Some areas felt like 3rd world countries. There are different churches everywhere. Some churches are humongous and service thousands of people. It is the Bible Belt and people love talking about Jesus and the Bible. (Bleu)
What was the weather like?
- Hot and muggy, rainy and muggy, freezing and muggy. (Kyle)
- Hot and humid. Surprisingly cold in the winter. The rain is heavy and an event in itself. (Steve)
- Hot and humid. Or cold and humid (for two weeks in January, then it’s pleasant for a couple months). (Dacia)
- All over the place. (Johnathon)
- Heavy rains. High heats. Though rare, the cold is very cold. (Riley)
- Beautiful summers. HOT–up to 112 fahrenheit. Amazing thunderstorms, especially on the island. Mild and short spring/fall. Jacket weather is Halloween ’til April fools. Cold is humid, so it penetrates coats and coverings. (Katie)
- The summer was extremely hot and you are basically constantly sweating. The cold would bite through your clothes during the winter due to the humidity. The rainstorms there are AWESOME! The thunder usually sets off many car alarms. The rain drops are huge and so are the puddles. During one particular storm when I was on my way to an investigator’s house, the water was half-way up my calf as we walked down the street! We had to park the car at the opposite end of the street from her house because it was like a giant swimming pool. (Brittany)
- Humid, very humid. (Jared)
- Humid, hot in the summer and humid, cold in the winter. Most beautiful sunsets, but scariest thunderstorms. (Darci)
- The winters were pleasant but sometimes warm. The summers are humid and hot. There are tons of mosquitoes and bugs. Some spiders there were the size of my palm. The spring could be unpredictable with storms. I saw a tornado once. (Bleu)
- The weather is humid. All the time. There is no escape except sometimes in winter. The days are a mix of sunshine or overcast with some heavy rain. (Benjamin)
Any things you really like about the area/people?
- The southern charity spirit was so prevalent. (Kyle)
- Hospitality. Honesty. They never took themselves too seriously. My favorite area was Friendswood. I never met a person there who was less than good to me. (Steve)
- I served the a Hispanic people, and they were so incredibly loving and giving. They don’t have much, but they truly give all of what they do have. (Dacia)
- Almost everyone is religious and willing to be cordial with you. Most are at least willing to talk. (Johnathon)
- I loved the weather and the food. The people were fantastic if you tried to make real friendships and speak to people genuinely and friendly. (Riley)
- The Latino people are wonderful and humble. Spanish is the best. I met people from Mexico and every country in Central and South America. Their food is the best. (Katie)
- The people are so loving and welcoming. (Brittany)
- Friendly people. (Jared)
- How much pride they have in their state and how friendly they are. They are also willing to teach you what you need. (Darci)
- People in the less affluent areas were very humble and welcoming. People are generally kind and will talk about religion. The members were amazing and fed us well. We had a lot of support from the members and that helped a lot. Texas is a wonderful place to serve. (Bleu)
- I loved being with people that were kind, even though they did not want to hear the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. People will respect you there. There are a couple of occasional people that will not but in the end, most of the people are kind. (Benjamin)
Any packing/clothing advice?
- Pack light. (Kyle)
- Plan on replenishing your white shirt and garment supply half way into your mission. Always have gold bond handy. Have a very good rain coat. (Steve)
- For sisters, if going somewhere hot and humid, get shirts that you don’t need to wear an undershirt under. It’s too hot for that! (Dacia)
- Don’t be fooled by the Almanac…you will want winter clothes. (Johnathon)
- Just what you need and are required. Bring some rain ponchos and an umbrella. Jackets are almost always too warm for the weather. It continues to be hot and steamy even in the rain. A jacket would be good on some winter days. (Riley)
- Raincoat, yes. Jacket, yes. Light winter coat. MANY short-sleeved white shirts. (Why white, you ask? Because simply put, you’re going to sweat. A lot, especially if you’re on bikes. And no one wants to see sweaty armpits.) Light weight skirts. Leggings–these are brilliant for when you are riding a bike, just in case your skirt comes up when you mount, unmount, or crash. : ) (Katie)
- Get extra warm clothes for the winter. (Brittany)
- Extra white shirts – short sleeves. (Jared)
- Light colored shoes. The heat and sun will burn your feet. Waterproof shoes are best, the rain is insane. You really have two seasons- wet and hot, the cold is bone cold at times. Oh, and fast drying towels! Bring two as they never dry! (Darci)
- Layers are best and clothes with light, breathable fabric. You may need a jacket but will probably only use it occasionally. (Bleu)
- Short sleeved shirts. you are going to be hot most of the time. (Benjamin)
What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?
- Too many to count. A personal testimony is the biggest one. (Kyle)
- I found the true value of family and it blesses my family today. (Steve)
- I gained absolute confidence in my Savior as I really learned to trust Him. Also, the blessings of exact obedience are so amazing. The lesson of that has continued to bless me over and over and over. (Dacia)
- Put in the best position to be the best I can be in my life. (Johnathon)
- My spiritual senses were enhanced as well as a sense for humility and gratitude. I learned the word of God and took it into my soul in the studies. That’s the best thing you can have. (Riley)
- Knowledge. A ten-times-better understanding of the gospel. Teaching talent- the ability to easily teach a principle to any age group. Public speaking talent. Safety, increased faith, … I feel like all the blessings I’ve received since my mission have been in some way connected to my mission. (Katie)
- I learned a language, I was able to catch a very small glimpse of how God sees all His children, I gained a stronger testimony, I also learned not to take my lifestyle for granted. (Brittany)
- My sister came back to the church, stopped doing drugs, smoking and while on my mission she went back to church, met her husband, and got married in the temple. (Darci)
- The blessings are still coming. My mission strengthened my testimony and gave me knowledge of the scriptures and the gospel that have helped me ever since. I gained a closer relationship with the Spirit. I learned humility and how to pray with intent! (Bleu)
- I gained a stronger testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the Church, and Joseph Smith. I learned to love those that may not be kind in return. My family was able to pay for this mission and keep our house. The Lord will truly take care of you during your mission. (Benjamin)
What are some skills you gained?
- Learning how to love hard work. (Kyle)
- Honestly? Patience. Texans live on their own time. (Steve)
- Spanish language, directing conversations, riding a bike in a skirt. :). (Dacia)
- Public speaking. And better know myself and my limits. (Johnathon)
- I learned how to speak Spanish very well. I also learned how to barbecue. (Riley)
- Cooking meat. Teaching. Memorization. (Katie)
- Language skills. (Brittany)
- Cooking, speaking in public, writing a talk, studying the scriptures. (Darci)
- I learned study skills. My grades in school were way better after my mission. I learned leadership skills and communication skills. I learned time management skills and organization skills. (Bleu)
- I learned to communicate with others better than I had before. (Benjamin)
What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?
- Hard work and prayer will pay off. The lord is mindful of all things. (Kyle)
- The Lord doesn’t work in six week increments. Be patient with your companion. Talk to them and face conflict head on. If it feels like you shouldn’t be doing it, you shouldn’t be doing it. Write in your journal every day. Win a victory every day and celebrate it. This will NOT be the best years of your life, but when those years come you’ll be glad you lived them. (Steve)
- I wish I would have ditched my fear of men (i.e. talking to people) earlier on in my mission. (Dacia)
- The Bible. I wish I studied the Bible more. (Johnathon)
- I wish I knew that all the missionaries were not as great as I let them seem in my mind. It would’ve been a lot better if no missionaries idolized or deified any other missionaries or their Presidents. To think that every one is trying and if everyone was patient with one another would’ve been great. I wish I would’ve been less stressed about the things of less importance. (Riley)
- I wish someone would have told me that, despite how important it is to work hard and reach your goals and help others, it’s just as important to help the missionaries around you. The best missionaries are those that lift his (or her) peers, stay optimistic, and are accepting and praising of every missionary, despite how weird or obnoxious some can be. ; ) (Katie)
- Knew how to make healthy meals rather than Ramen and mac and cheese. Knew how to clean up throw up!!! Seriously hot food poisoning twice. (Darci)
- I wish I had been better prepared for Bible bashers. I never knew quite how to handle them, but to share a simple testimony and walk away. (Bleu)
Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Houston South?
- Know that the Book of Mormon is true. Come into the mission humble. Expect to work hard. (Kyle)
- All I can say is I can’t count the times I absolutely knew the Savior was with me as I served. (Steve)
- Be obedient. Not just obedient, but exactly obedient. Obedience really does unlock the powers of Heaven. (Dacia)
- Love the work, people, and do all you can to be the best you can. (Johnathon)
- Don’t be the kind of missionary that creates tension with your companion. Don’t be the judgmental or holier than thou type companion. Just be patient and loving. Spare the critique because I’m sure your companion is already self-critiquing too much. Just be patient and loving and generous and try to be friends. (Riley)
- Treat your companion as your brother/sister. They need you more than you know. Your Mission President is a spiritual genius. Just do what he says. You’ll find that you can’t go wrong if you listen and heed him. The Lord will answer your prayers daily. (Katie)
- Go out on exchanges with the missionaries, know the Bible as you are in the Bible Belt. (Darci)
- Pray always, listen to the Spirit, and work hard. You will only get out of your mission what you put into it. If you want to be more spiritual, then do everything you can to have the Spirit with you. (Bleu)
- Learn to listen to the Spirit, and He will guide the these next couple of years that will be hard but worth it. (Benjamin)
What was a funny language mistake?
- I spoke English, but I can’t count how many times locals asked me to slow down when I spoke. (Steve)
- I was in ward council and I was trying to say that the man we were teaching was a really good man, but I used the wrong verb and told everyone he was really good at something not appropriate for the time. Totally embarrassing. (Dacia)
- Any time someone unknowingly curses is funny. (Riley)
- Soooo many. Can’t remember them now. But never be afraid speak the language, even if your accent is terrible…and we had those. (Katie)
- We spoke English, I did have a chance to speak Spanish a few times. No funny stories. (Darci)