John serves as president & chief executive officer of Wycliffe Bible Translators USA, with the aim of seeing communities transformed when people experience God’s Word in a language and format they truly understand. He is passionate about partnership, believing that collaborative unity within the body of Christ provides greater opportunities for the advancement of Bible translation.
Prior to joining Wycliffe, John served in the pastorate for 13 years before moving to the Philippines, where he served in a variety of leadership roles with SIL Philippines and SIL Global. In 2011, the Chesnuts returned to the United States, where John served as chief development and partnerships officer for Wycliffe USA.
John earned his master of divinity and doctor of ministry from Denver Seminary. Dr. Chesnut and his wife have seven adult children through birth and adoption and an ever-growing quiverful of grandkids. They love the tapestry of nations God has woven together in their family. In his spare time, John enjoys the outdoors — whether hiking, teaching their grandkids how to fish, or going on an early morning walk.