Jonathan Stapley has been chosen as the new president of the Reading, PA Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which covers the Lehigh, Berks, Northampton, Luzerne, Schuylkill, Montgomery, Bucks and Carbon counties in Pennsylvania and Warren County in New Jersey.

Stapley is joined by his new counselors, Phillip Brinton and Bladimir Garcia. The new leaders replace Keith B Wills, Jason R. Christiansen and Brian R. Daems.

Created in 1982, the Reading, PA Stake, which is similar to a diocese in other churches, has 5,100 church members and 12 congregations. There are 12 Latter-day Saint stakes in Pennsylvania with a total of more than 53,000 members statewide.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints operates under a lay ministry who allows its local leaders to continue in their current employment.

Stapley, 50, and his wife, Sarah, have raised four children and live in Birdsboro. He is employed as the head of product management for B. Braun’s active devices business unit in Allentown.

Brinton, 49, and his wife, Malesa, have four children and live in Allentown. He is a private practice pediatric dentist in Allentown.

Garcia, 50, and his wife, Betania, have four daughters and live in East Greenville. He is employed as the world languages department head at Perkiomen School in Pennsburg.