Elder Ian S. Ardern, General Authority Seventy and Second Counselor of the Africa Central Area presidency, traveled to Ethiopia to welcome Oliva and Rebecca Cowley as the new leaders of the Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Mission on July 2, 2023, and bid farewell to Robert and Darice Dudfield, who completed their service as mission leaders.

Addis Ababa District President Efrem M. Aemero and all Ethiopia branch presidents were also present to say goodbye to the Dudfields and welcome the Cowleys.

President and Sister Cowley have five children, and they come from Koromatua Ward, Temple View Stake, in Hamiliton, New Zealand. President Cowley has served as a mission presidency counselor, stake presidency counselor, bishop, bishopric counselor, seminary teacher and missionary in the New Zealand Wellington Mission. He was born in Tokoroa, New Zealand, to Ike Oliver Cowley and Margaret Wihongi Cowley.

Sister Cowley was a seminary teacher, stake Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Young Women president, Young Women adviser, and Relief Society compassionate service coordinator. She was born in Brisbane, Australia, and is daughter to Glen and Pauline O’Brien and Stephanie Hammond.