Richard L Mercado

Born in Phoenix, AZ on March 23, 1930 to Leonardo S. Mercado and Hazel Hawley Mercado, he had one sister, Gertrude Mercado Traw (1927-1992). He attended Longview Elementary School in Phoenix. In 1946, at age 16, he graduated from Tempe Union High School in Tempe AZ. In 1951, he graduated from Arizona Bible Institute, where he later taught. In 1955 he received his Bachelor of Arts in Theology with highest distinction from Grand Canyon College (now Grand Canyon University). In 1980, he received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC. All his 93 years were lived in the Valley of the Sun.

At an early age, Dick trusted Jesus Christ as his Savior. At age 16, he preached his first sermon in a lifetime (77 years) of gospel-preaching ministry. In 1956, he married Margine Clark of Phoenix. She became his beloved partner in ministry for 63 years. Dr. Mercado served as pastor of La Iglesia Evagelica/The Evangelical Church, located first in downtown Phoenix and later in west Phoenix. Simultaneously, he served as General Director of The Mexican Gospel Mission, a missionary agency founded by his father, Leonardo, dedicated to fulfilling the Great Commission in the Hispanic world through evangelism, discipleship, church-planting and theological education.

In addition to faithful pulpit and pastoral ministry, Dr. Mercado ministered God’s Word over the radio for nearly 50 years. He recorded gospel music, acted in several evangelistic films, saw a thriving bus ministry reach out to local neighborhoods and began Mission Christian School to serve the Hispanic neighborhood growing up around the church campus. Dr. Mercado is well known for his heart for the souls of the unsaved and for his eloquent Bible exposition that took him across the world preaching in both English and Spanish.

Dr. Mercado is preceded in death by his wife Margine (1934-2019).

He is survived by his children Linda M. (Jim) Crowther of Goodyear, AZ., Lanette M. (David) Whitaker of Greenville, S.C., Richard (Joyce) Mercado, also of Goodyear, Jennifer M. (Bruce) Cox of Greenville, S.C., and Cecilia B. Mercado of Phoenix. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at the Evangelical Baptist Church, 2925 W. Polk Street, Phoenix on Tuesday, May 30, from 4:00-6:30 P.M. with a funeral service following at 7:00 P.M. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to MGM International or The Evangelical Baptist Church. The address for both ministries is 2925 W. Polk Street Phoenix, AZ 85009. Dr. Mercado/Dad will be always, ours “under the same feathers".

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Greenwoodmemorylawn.com for the Mercado family.