Burnley to Nairobi – A Singular Mission Call

Brother David and Sister Janet Pickup of the Burnley Ward, Chorley Stake, have been called to serve in the Africa Central Area, from May 2025. They will be based in the Area Office in Nairobi, Kenya, which serves the surrounding countries including, amongst many others, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Of their mission call, David says, “We had all sorts of plans for enjoying our retirement but as they say, ‘man plans and God laughs’. We were inspired by President Nelson’s call at the October 2024 general conference to ’rededicate your lives to Jesus Christ’ and that ’It is neither too early nor too late for you to become a devout disciple of Jesus Christ.’ Whilst nervous about the prospect of serving in Africa, we are both excited to be serving the Lord full-time for 18 months.

Brother and Sister Pickup are the parents of 7 children (5 living). David is a former missionary in the France Paris Mission. He currently serves as a stake high counsellor, whilst Janet is serving as a Relief Society teacher. In Kenya, David will be an Associate Area Legal Counsel, with Janet working with the Temple Patrons Assistant Fund, which helps members to overcome barriers to temple attendance. Their experience in their chosen professions will certainly be a bonus; David is the most senior Latter-day Saint judge in England and Wales, having been called to the bar in 1984 (Honourable Gray’s Inn, London) as the first Latter-day Saint barrister. He retired from the Bar in 2014 to become a judge and was involved in many interesting cases. Brother Pickup has also served as stake president of the Chorley Stake and was a counsellor on the England Manchester Mission presidency.

Janet has taught in schools for many years, has served as a school chair of governors, has been involved in fund-raising for many charities, including the Mayoress’ Committee for 28 years. She became a successful fundraiser for hospices, hospitals and mental health charities and hosted mayors from other regions. David has also served as a chairman of the school governing board and with Janet, was a founder member of the northern branch of Victim Support. Janet is no stranger to the law as she has been a lay Magistrate for over 30 years and is usually the Presiding Justice in the Magistrates Courts where she sits and was a town councillor for four years. Burnley’s loss is Nairobi’s gain and a wealth of experience is heading its way.