The board of directors of Wycliffe Bible Translators USA has announced the appointment of Dr. John Chesnut as the organization’s new president and chief executive officer. After a year-long evaluation process of prayerful consideration, staff and leadership feedback, extensive references and interviews, Dr. Chesnut will begin a three-year term in April 2019. He will be the seventh president in the organization’s 77-year history.
“It has been one of the great joys of my life to see God move through Wycliffe USA’s work around the world,” Dr. Chesnut said. “I am deeply humbled by the opportunity to serve as Wycliffe’s president. I look forward to continuing to work with the board and our wonderful staff and partners across the globe.”
Dr. Chesnut has been with Wycliffe for 17 years, serving most recently as chief development and partnerships officer since 2012. He previously served as field director for SIL Philippines, a Wycliffe partner organization, and served as a pastor and church planter prior to joining Wycliffe. Dr. Chesnut will work closely with Wycliffe’s current president and CEO, Bob Creson, for a three-month transition period.
“My decision to step down was a long, prayerfully considered one, and it has been the privilege of a lifetime to see God work through the people in this organization,” said Creson, who has served as president and CEO since 2003. ”My wife, Dallas, and I pray for guidance in our next steps, and I look forward to working alongside John during the transition. I will step down with great optimism for Wycliffe’s future under his leadership. I’ve had the privilege of working with him for many years and have seen his character and integrity firsthand. His vision, wisdom and expertise make him a tremendous asset to our organization and to the global mission of Bible translation.”
“We are tremendously grateful for Bob’s leadership over the last 17 years, and that he will continue to work with us closely after aiding Dr. Chesnut through the transition period,” said board member Larry Cheng.
“Throughout Dr. Chesnut’s career, he has led with humility, servant leadership and a shepherding heart,” said Cheng. “Dr. Chesnut is known by many for being a kind, gracious and giving person who so often has put others above himself. He genuinely cares about people and values his relationships with others, and we look forward to seeing this reflected in his new role as president.”
Dr. Chesnut holds a bachelor of arts in behavioral science with minors in Biblical studies and philosophy from California Baptist University (California Baptist College at the time), a master of divinity in youth and family ministry and a doctorate of ministry in church and parachurch executive leadership from Denver Seminary. He and his wife, Kelly, have seven children.
For more information, visit wycliffe.org.
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