SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Single men age 40 and older can now hold full-time missions, the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Friday.

The church said single men will now be allowed to serve as senior missionaries as long as they have no dependent children at home. These senior missionaries may serve in a variety of capacities, including family history work, assisting in mission offices, or experience-specific services such as medical or legal roles.

This policy is effective immediately.

Single senior missionaries can choose to serve for six, 12, 18 or 23 months. They should expect to live away from home and serve 40 hours a week. They will not serve in fellowships.

Single women currently serve as full-time missionaries in many areas, including supporting local congregations, working in mission offices, and helping missionaries meet medical needs.

These missionaries will now have the opportunity to serve at visitor centers, historical sites and employment centers, the church’s latest announcement said.

While LDS’s junior proselytizing missionaries are the most well-known part of the church’s missionary program, senior missionaries, who often serve in pairs, work in a variety of fields, from humanitarian aid and food pantries to public relations and military affairs. For a full list of our service areas visit the church website.