88,500.

That’s about how many full-time missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are now serving across the globe — and it represents a record high for the 196-year-old faith.

A Tuesday news release announcing the new mark noted that the previous record was 88,000 set in 2014.

The Utah-based church attributed the uptick to the “first wave” of 18-year-old female missionaries just now hitting the field. Seven months ago, the governing First Presidency lowered the minimum age for female missionaries from 19 to 18, making it the same as their male counterparts.

Apostle Ronald A. Rasband, who heads the faith’s Missionary Executive Council, posted on social media about the milestone.

“This remarkable moment reflects the faith and devotion of a rising generation of disciples of Jesus Christ, including many 18-year-old sister missionaries who are entering the mission field,” Rasband said. “This moment also reflects the wonderful support that parents, families, friends and others provide to all of our missionaries as they serve across the globe. We are so grateful for the sacrifices so many of you make.”

In June, President Dallin H. Oaks announced that this record would be broken in the coming weeks and included his enthusiasm for the creation of 55 new missions, stretching across five and continents and pushing the total tally past 500.

These new missions are now open and ready to accept waves of new missionaries.

“Missionary work is soaring to new heights,” Oaks said last month. “What a group to lead.”

A similar proselytizing jump happened after the church, in 2012, reduced the age for male missionaries to 18 (down from 19) and, at the time, to 19 for women (down from 21).