Mercy Ships 
The information on this page was last updated 8/26/2025. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Mercy Ships began our mission to provide hope and healing to those in need in 1978. Each year we send hospital ships filled with volunteer professionals who selflessly provide life-changing surgeries to children and adults who otherwise would go without. Together we are saving lives.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Mercy Ships
PO Box 2020
Garden Valley, TX 75771-2020
Website: mercyships.org
Phone: (903) 939-7000
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 262414132
CEO/President: Gary Brown
Chairman: Gary Brown
Board size: 22
Founder: Don and Deyon Stephens
Ruling year: 2008
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1999
Purpose
Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to transform lives and serve nations, one at a time.
Mission statement
We follow the 2000-year-old model of Jesus, bringing hope and healing to the world's forgotten poor.
Statement of faith
Articles
Donor confidence score
Show donor confidence score details
To understand our donor confidence score, click here.
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Relief and Development
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 1242 of 1366 | 100 of 114 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 913 of 1366 | 76 of 114 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 1007 of 1366 | 84 of 114 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 1237 of 1367 | 98 of 114 |
To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 8% | 13% | 15% | 10% | 12% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 8% | 13% | 15% | 10% | 12% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 98% | 99% | 99% | 100% | 100% | 99% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 5% | 14% | 14% | 15% | 14% | 17% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 2% | 1% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 1% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 86% | 75% | 75% | 76% | 80% | 74% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 99% | 55% | 94% | 102% | 67% | 72% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 84% | 41% | 70% | 77% | 54% | 53% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 1% | 45% | 6% | -2% | 33% | 28% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 6% | 35% | 4% | -1% | 30% | 19% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 7% | 10% | 12% | 9% | 6% | 9% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.56 | 0.41 | 0.58 | 0.56 | 0.60 | 0.46 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.16 | 1.83 | 2.69 | 2.93 | 2.97 | 1.83 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.11 | 0.75 | 1.55 | 1.63 | 1.77 | 0.84 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 10.50 | 20.10 | 9.33 | 9.58 | 18.08 | 23.51 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.07 | 0.05 | 0.11 | 0.10 | 0.06 | 0.04 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.62 | 15.18 | 6.91 | 6.61 | 6.39 | 13.60 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 9% | 3% | 5% | 6% | 3% | 5% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 53% | 236% | 165% | 169% | 163% | 206% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Cash | $59,955,704 | $61,259,249 | $60,782,997 | $59,841,550 | $71,152,902 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $149,056,233 | $32,721,888 | $23,394,727 | $20,685,623 | $22,653,687 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $209,011,937 | $93,981,137 | $84,177,724 | $80,527,173 | $93,806,589 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $163,168,812 | $149,183,293 | $157,888,525 | $155,818,404 | $77,544,417 |
| Other long-term assets | $10,667,985 | $9,222,786 | $4,458,097 | $2,947,916 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $173,836,797 | $158,406,079 | $162,346,622 | $158,766,320 | $77,544,417 |
| Total assets | $382,848,734 | $252,387,216 | $246,524,346 | $239,293,493 | $171,351,006 |
| Liabilities | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $10,396,275 | $10,071,541 | $8,787,021 | $4,443,094 | $3,990,213 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $2,660 | $1,360 | $11,185 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $10,396,275 | $10,074,201 | $8,788,381 | $4,454,279 | $3,990,213 |
| Debt | $1,983,028 | $1,991,183 | $1,933,254 | $1,557,190 | $4,034,708 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $3,842,303 | $1,045,248 | $6,053 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $1,983,028 | $1,991,183 | $5,775,557 | $2,602,438 | $4,040,761 |
| Total liabilities | $12,379,303 | $12,065,384 | $14,563,938 | $7,056,717 | $8,030,974 |
| Net assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Without donor restrictions | $231,996,809 | $232,010,666 | $216,159,319 | $216,975,524 | $144,481,353 |
| With donor restrictions | $138,472,622 | $8,311,166 | $15,801,089 | $15,261,252 | $18,838,679 |
| Net assets | $370,469,431 | $240,321,832 | $231,960,408 | $232,236,776 | $163,320,032 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Total contributions | $284,383,021 | $153,707,243 | $133,759,038 | $211,940,511 | $109,394,534 |
| Program service revenue | $39,708 | $34,404 | $34,448 | $25,381 | $354,119 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $2,381,126 | $1,114,725 | $166,847 | $214,382 | $420,652 |
| Other revenue | $340,224 | $235,178 | ($76,621) | $509,355 | $513,721 |
| Total other revenue | $2,761,058 | $1,384,307 | $124,674 | $749,118 | $1,288,492 |
| Total revenue | $287,144,079 | $155,091,550 | $133,883,712 | $212,689,629 | $110,683,026 |
| Expenses | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Program services | $118,078,677 | $108,854,220 | $103,665,937 | $114,470,265 | $58,445,612 |
| Management and general | $16,303,050 | $17,097,383 | $12,489,860 | $7,890,938 | $7,227,484 |
| Fundraising | $22,674,726 | $19,740,707 | $20,720,020 | $20,480,947 | $13,582,113 |
| Total expenses | $157,056,453 | $145,692,310 | $136,875,817 | $142,842,150 | $79,255,209 |
| Change in net assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $130,087,626 | $9,399,240 | ($2,992,105) | $69,847,479 | $31,427,817 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $130,087,626 | $9,399,240 | ($2,992,105) | $69,847,479 | $31,427,817 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Gert van de Weerdhof | CEO | $465,614 |
| Mark Shrime | Int. Chief Medical Officer End: 12/16/2024 | $350,057 |
| Don Stephens | Founder | $300,000 |
| Robert Corley | COO | $296,949 |
| Jitze Kramer | VP of Global Branding End: 9/30/24 | $292,793 |
| Ebenezer Puplampu | CPO | $278,954 |
| Nicolas Adame | CFO Start: 01/08/2024 | $267,429 |
| Paul Owen | Secretary & GENERAL COUNSEL End: 7/16/2024 | $262,953 |
| Kerry Peterson | VP Advancement/Asst. Secretary | $233,734 |
| Brandon Kean | Controller | $198,602 |
| Dave Shwadlenak | VP of Information Technology | $193,895 |
| Barney Goodall | Interim CFO End: 1/7/2024 | $192,104 |
| Nathan Jansen | Managing Director | $179,246 |
| David Schwab | Secretary & General Counsel Start: 9/3/2024 | $108,065 |
| Linda Pruett | P & C Project Mgr/ Assist. Secretary | $79,582 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2024
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 8/26/2025. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Mercy Ships began with the vision that ships might carry medical personnel and relief cargo to help the poor. Don and Deyon Stephens, along with a group of other young people, purchased the former passenger liner Victoria for $1 million in 1978. After four years of refit, the vessel sailed as the newly christened Anastasis, the first Mercy Ship. From the beginning, Don Stephens has served as Founder/CEO of Mercy Ships. Mercy Ships has provided free surgeries, dental care, medical supplies, development training, clothing, construction materials, food and seeds and a message of hope to more than seventy port districts worldwide.
Program accomplishments
More than 1,200 volunteers from over 60 nations serve with Mercy Ships each year.
From surgeons and medical staff to the captain, cooks, technicians, teachers, and more, our crew makes up a plethora of skills and specialties needed to make a difference in the countries we serve.
2M+LIVES IMPACTED
Through surgical care, medical training, and infrastructure development, we impact millions.
100,000+ SURGICAL PROCEDURES
With your help, Mercy Ships is working to meet the overwhelming need for safe surgery worldwide.
42,000+ PROFESSIONALS TRAINED
By training local professionals in vital medical procedures, we create a lasting legacy of healing.
1,300+ ANNUAL VOLUNTEERS
Our dedicated volunteers are selfless servants who fuel the lifesaving mission of Mercy Ships.
Needs
By sponsoring a volunteer crewmember today, you will become a valued partner - a Crewmate! As a Crewmate, you are helping make a lasting impact on the people of Africa. By supporting a crewmember, you are a part of bringing even more hope and healing to those in need. Your commitment to support this dedicated volunteer will help transform lives through life-changing surgeries and the continued training of local medical professionals in the countries we serve.