History

Wycliffe Bible Translators was officially founded in 1942, but the vision was caught many years before that by one of our co-founders, William Cameron Townsend. His passion to see every person have access to God’s Word in their language began back in 1917 while he was trying to sell Spanish Bibles in Guatemala and found that the indigenous people there couldn’t read them. 

He eventually decided to settle in Santa Catarina among the Kaqchikel community and learn their language. Over the next 14 years, he translated the Bible into Kaqchikel so that the people could clearly understand the Scriptures.

During this time, Townsend’s concern for other people groups without the Bible grew, and God began to expand his vision. In the summer of 1934, Townsend opened Camp Wycliffe in Arkansas. Named after the first translator of the entire English Bible, John Wycliffe, Camp Wycliffe was designed to train young people in basic linguistics and translation methods. As it grew, it became the Summer Institute of Linguistics (now known as SIL International). Seeing the need for another organization to handle resources such as personnel and funds, Townsend officially co-founded Wycliffe Bible Translators in 1942.

Since that time, Wycliffe Bible Translators has continued to partner with the global Church to provide access to the Word of God through Bible translation so that all people can understand the message of God’s love and be transformed.

Dr. John Chesnut, President and CEO

Dr. John Chesnut serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Wycliffe Bible Translators USA. John and his wife, Kelly, are passionate about seeing God transform people and communities when they experience His Word in a language and format they truly understand.

John served as a pastor and church planter for 13 years before the Chesnuts joined Wycliffe in 2001 and moved to the Philippines, where John served in a variety of leadership roles with SIL Philippines and SIL International during their nine years there.

In 2011, the Chesnuts returned to the United States and John began serving with Wycliffe USA as Chief Development and Partnerships Officer. John holds a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Denver Seminary.

John and his wife, Kelly, have seven children through birth and adoption. They love the tapestry of nations God has woven together in their family, which is extending to the next generation through their grandkids. In his spare time, John enjoys the outdoors — whether hiking, teaching his grandkids how to fish or going on an early morning walk.

Vicky Mixson, Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer

Vicky Mixson serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, using her years of experience to give strategic oversight to Wycliffe’s Communications, Marketing, Church Engagement and Guest Experience areas. She joined the organization in 2012 following many years in marketing and communications for various agribusiness, higher education, banking and transportation firms. As someone who cares deeply about language and communication, Vicky is driven by a desire to see God’s Word reach every corner of the world to bring transformation and hope.

Vicky attended University of Florida, receiving a bachelor’s degree with honors in journalism and public relations. She is accredited in public relations by the Public Relations Society of America.

She and her husband, Bob, have two adult children, Patrick (married to Amy) and Natalie (married to Rick), and five grandsons. In her spare time, Vicky enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading and traveling (especially to watch the Florida Gators play football).