Introducing the New Euless 4th Ward and Bishopric of the Hurst Texas Stake
With a growing Tongan community in North Texas, the Hurst Texas Stake recently created a new Tongan Ward (congregation) called the Euless 4th Ward. The new ward is the third Tongan ward in the Stake, serving members whose primary language is Tongan.
About forty years ago, the first Tongan Ward was created, called the Euless 2nd Ward. Then in 1996, the Euless 3rd ward was created to help serve the growing community of Tongan members.
Euless 4th New Bishopric from left: 1st Counselor, Simon Francis Foni; Bishop, Valeli Faasoo; 2nd Counselor, William Pousima Afeaki II. Photograph courtesy of Emosi Finiasi.
A New Ward Means More Service Opportunities
President Tommy Hamilton, First Counselor of the Hurst Stake Presidency, said that before the creation of the new ward, the Euless 2nd and Euless 3rd Wards, had overflowing Sunday meetings, leaving many members with no seating in the chapel.
“We discussed in our Stake Presidency meeting various ways that we could help eliminate overcrowding and provide service opportunities for everyone. As you know, we serve in the church and provide meaningful callings (volunteer opportunities) to our members, and we took note of the strain that was being placed on leadership and teachers in the Tongan community.”
Brother Cannon, the Hurst Texas Stake Clerk, created a map showing where the Tongan brothers and sisters lived and it provided an opportunity for stake leaders to group members living in close proximity to each other and gain a realistic view of the number of youths, women and men that would benefit from the creation of a new ward.
In March 2022, a meeting was held with the members of the Euless 2nd and Euless 3rd Wards. The boundaries of the new Euless 4th Ward were explained and then sustained by the members. The new members of the Euless 4th Ward unanimously sustained the new Bishopric.
The family of Bishop Faasoo from left to right: Kendriona Alohanani, Valeli Zambezi Kupuovanua, Salote Faasoo (wife), Valeli Faasoo. Photo courtesy Faasoo family.
Meet the Euless 4th Ward Bishopric
After prayerful consideration and a confirmation from the Lord and the Office of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Valeli Faasoo was called and confirmed as the Bishop (pastor) of the newly created Euless 4th Ward.
Bishop Faasoo was born and grew up in American Samoa. At age 14, he was baptized to as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a two-year mission for the church at the Sweden Stockholm Mission in 2004 and 2005.
Right after his mission, he attended BYU-Hawaii and graduated 2010 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems. While attending BYU, he met his lovely wife, Salote Fatai Kupu Faasoo and they were married and sealed in the Hawaii Temple on July 18, 2008. Salote Faasoo also graduated with a with Bachelor of Science degree in Education and Special Education. The couple has a 13-year-old daughter, Kendriona Alohanani Faasoo and a 3-year-old son, Valeli Zambezi Kupuovanua Faasoo.
Bishop Faasoo can speak several different languages, fluent in his native tongue, Samoan, he also can speak Swedish, Danish, Tongan and English. He has served various callings in the church including Second Counselor in the Ward Young Men Presidency, Seminary Teacher, Stake Institute Teacher for Young Single Adults, Second Counselor in the Bishopric and Stake Second Counselor in the Young Men.
Bishop dearly loves his family. He works at American Airlines headquarters at the Integrated Operation Center as a Crew Coordinator to support his family. Other than being at work and his church calling, he spends his time with his family at home for a movie night, or at the park to enjoy nature. The whole family loves going to Braum’s to enjoy different flavors of ice cream.
Bishop Faasoo humbly accepts his calling by referring to the requirements set forth for the office of a Bishop in the teaching of Apostle Paul Epistle to Titus in the New Testament:
“For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” (Titus 1:7 – 9)
Bishop Faasoo states:
“I know if I try to follow and fulfill these requirements then I will understand the mantle given to me as a Bishop. I know that this new calling is sacred and noble, but also has requirements.”
The Family of First Counselor Simon Foni from left to right: Jared Ty, Eliza, Katalina Moana (Mother), Simon Francis Foni (Father), Nina Simone, Jacob Dunn, Valentino Mahonri (oldest son not pictured). Photograph courtesy Lui Sanft.
Bishop Faasoo is joined by his two counselors, Simon Francis Foni, First Counselor and William Pousima Afeaki II, Second Counselor. They have also served in various church callings and are hardworking worthy individuals with so many talents, ready to serve with Bishop Faasoo.
Simon Francis Foni and his beautiful wife Katalina Moana Foni have six children ranging from single adult age to teenagers. He typically joins his identical twin sons TO help administer the ward Sacrament on Sunday. His twins, Jacob and Jared, just received their mission calls, one to serve in the Sydney Australia Mission and one to serve in the Nukualofa Tonga Mission.
Second Counselor, William Pousima Afeaki II with his wife Saline Lile Afeaki. Photograph courtesy Lui Sanft.
William Pousima Afeaki II and his beautiful wife Saline Lile Afeaki also have six teenage children. He enjoys playing the piano and accompanying his talented daughters when they sing in Sacrament meeting or for other special events.
The Euless 4th Ward Sunday services are held at 200 Fair Oaks Blvd in Euless every Sunday from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Visit the link here for more information.
Article by Lui Sanft of the Euless 3rd Ward with President Tommy Hamilton, Stake Presidency First Counselor.
Lui Sanft is an inspector for the City of Fort Worth at Forestry Section. During his free time he enjoys exercising and walking along trails with his wife, loves to read and spend time with his family.