A Nigerian missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has passed away while serving in his home country, according to Church officials.

A statement was issued Friday evening saying the missionary had died that morning.

“Elder Samuel Joseph Iseh, Jr., age 20, experienced a sudden health episode (unrelated to COVID-19) and was taken to the hospital where he passed away,” read the statement from Church spokesman Sam Penrod.

Elder Iseh had been serving in the Nigera Lagos Mission since May 2019. He was from Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

“We express our deepest sympathies to his family and friends and pray they will be comforted during this difficult time.”