What are you doing?

Alex creates software for developing languages, translating the Bible, and sharing it. Megan researches and designs educational programs for children to read and write in their heart language—and eventually to know Scripture in it.

Bible translation is reaching many people groups who have never had access to Scripture. Technology is like the roads of the Roman Empire were for the early Church: an avenue for carrying the gospel to those who have not heard it. We use technology to reach more people, produce Scripture faster, engage local communities, reduce costs, increase accuracy, and seamlessly produce literacy materials. When communities can finally read, they can finally read the Bible.

With what organization?

We are members of Wycliffe Bible Translators, an international Christian missions organization whose aim is to see the Bible translated into every language that needs it. Current estimates put the number of languages that may still need a translation at around 2,000, representing some 300 million people. See more at wycliffe.net/statistics.

For how long?

We have joined Wycliffe as career missionaries. In other words, this is what we plan to do with our lives. We will be gone for up to four years at a time and then come back on furlough for up to a year at a time. We started with Wycliffe in Cameroon in 2010. Megan has already been a member for more than five years.

Who pays you?

Our salary from Wycliffe USA is not a normal one. Rather, funding for our Wycliffe ministry comes from churches, friends and family like you who play crucial role in bringing the Bible to those who still wait. This model help us to more closely connect local churches with what God is doing accross the globe. God has been faithfully supplying the financial needs of Wycliffe missionaries this way for the last 80 years.

What do you need money for?

We have a need-based monthly budget for living and ministry expenses. Additionally, we may have one-time expenses like getting set up new location.

How can I help?

We need both prayer, financial, advocacy, and volunteer partners. Prayer partners commit to praying for us and our work regularly. Financial partners commit to give, either monthly or as they are able. Advocates help to connect us with other partners. Volunteers may have an opportunity to directly join us with our work in the field. As a software designer, Alex comes across many needs that can be addressed remotely.

How can I become a prayer partner?

You can sign up to become a prayer partner through our member page on the Wycliffe USA website. We also encourage you to contact us directly, and to subscribe to our newsletter.

How can I become a financial partner?

The easiest way to give is online through Wycliffe’s site. The website will walk you through giving securely online (regularly or one-time).

Give online at wycliffe.org/partner/mercado.
Give by phone at 1-800-WYCLIFFE.
Give by check, made out to "Wycliffe Bible Translators", and with a a separate note enclosed, stating, “Preference for the Wycliffe ministry of Alex & Megan Mercado 270043.” Mail the check and note to:

Wycliffe Bible Translators
PO Box 628200
Orlando, FL 32862-8200

Recurring gifts are crucial to long-term effectiveness in Bible translation, but one-time gifts can make a big difference in getting off the ground.

To set a recurring gift:

Visit wycliffe.org/partner/mercado.
Enter the recurring amount you'd like to give. Hit Give.
On the next page, select "I would like to make this a recurring donation."
Follow the website's instrustions.

To set a one-time gift:

Visit wycliffe.org/partner/mercado.
Change the drop-down menu labeled Ministry Expenses (recurring) to Launch Expense Account (one-time).
Enter the one-time amount you'd like to give. Hit Give.
Follow the website's instrustions.

If you'd like to send a one-time gift by check, include our launch account number, 71-270043 on a separate note.

We cannot leave for Kenya until we have pledges for 100% of our recurring Wycliffe budget. All donations are tax deductible. You can also give more creatively. You can give a cow, or a boat, or a sliver of your Amazon purchase, or via corporate matching (even if your employer limitations on giving to religious organizations).

If you have any questions or concerns about giving, don’t hesitate to contact us or Wycliffe. Thank you for you generosity and eagerness to take part in what God is doing in Bible translation.

How can I become an advocate?

Being an advocate gives a lot of room for creativity. One of our advocates helped to introduce us to small groups in their church. Several small groups have committed to partner with us as a group because of the efforts of some of our advocates. They pray for us at their regular meetings and give financially as a group. Other advocates get us speaking engagements or meetings with church leadership. Many advocates share about our ministry on social media.

How much should I give?

Please give as the Lord stirs in your heart and enables you. We are grateful for every one of our partners who share a passion for Bible translation. There is truly no gift too large or too small.

What language will you be translating the Bible into?

Our organization tends to work in what are known as cluster projects. These projects group similar languages together to work on translations into these languages simultaneously. This method speeds up the process dramatically, producing Bible translations in less than half the time it took in previous generations.

Moreover, we both work in roles to contibute to multiple clusters. The software that Alex makes is used all over the world. He and Megan both travel to many different language clusters to maximize their impact on Bible translation.

Why not just have people learn to read the Bible in French or English?

Firstly, for many of the people groups we work with, it would be infeasible to teach them all English well enough to access the Bible.

Secondly, we believe that it a Bible translation in a non-native language is insufficient to fully engage the heart. Congolese pastorput it this way: “I can understand French with my ear, and Swahili with my mind, but my own language I understand with my heart.” An elderly Christian lady in Papua New Guinea described not having the Bible in her own language as having a tall glass of water that she couldn’t drink. Another said it was like eating a banana with the peel on.

Common Questions