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Grace Adventures Ministries Leadership Transition
Friends, today is a day of celebration and reflection, a moment to honor what God has done through Grace Adventures Ministries and to look forward with hope to what He will do for future generations. For the past 29 summers, Steve Prudhomme has had the profound privilege of serving as the President of this amazing ministry. It is with a heart full of gratitude and a deep sense of peace that he announced today his decision to retire from his role as President of Grace Adventures Ministries, effective March 31, 2026. After much prayer and reflection, he feels the Lord calling him to step into a new season of life, trusting that He who began a good work in this ministry will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6).
Steve shared, “Serving as President has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Together, we have seen God’s hand at work. Being part of a ministry committed to reaching this generation of young people and strengthening families, equipping them to be tomorrow’s leaders so that they can impact their world with Jesus Christ, has been one of the most fulfilling times of my life. I am deeply thankful for the unwavering support of the Board, the dedication of our staff, and the generosity of our donors, volunteers, and ministry partners. Your partnership in this mission has been a testament to the power of unity in Christ.”
Steve Prudhomme in his early years as President of Grace Adventures.
Ben Vander Kodde on Summer Staff in 2001, Crud Wars.
The impact Steve has had on Grace Adventures Ministries over almost 30 years has been immeasurable. The Board is extremely grateful for Steve’s leadership and for positioning the ministry to be able to share this exciting news. We are thrilled to share that the Board has unanimously approved the appointment of Ben Vander Kodde as President-elect of Grace Adventures Ministries.
This is such a moment of joy for the Board. Most of you know Ben and his wife Laura are no strangers to Grace. For 25 years, Ben has served this ministry with extraordinary dedication. Over this period, he has gained expertise in programs, fundraising, marketing, sales, preaching, and teaching. Ben has a deep love for Christ, a commitment to our mission, and the ability to connect with people.
When the Board began planning for this transition, which started a number of years ago with the approval of a formal succession plan, we have been guided by Scriptures like I Timothy 3:1-7, which calls for leaders of godly character, and much prayer. We sought someone who embodies Grace’s values-someone who knows our heart, our people/community, and our calling. After a process led by the Board Succession Task Force, at our Board meeting on June 20, we unanimously approved Ben as president-elect. Through this whole process, and particularly with the unanimous vote, the Board has been filled with gratitude and praise for God’s provision.
The Board has crafted a transition plan that has Steve and Ben working side-by-side over the next six months in leading the ministry. Steve has been involving the leadership team of Ben, Chad Coppess, and Doug Fouser in all of the strategic processes for the ministry, so they are well equipped to plan for 2026 and beyond. On January 1, 2026, Ben will take over full operational control of the ministry. Steve will be formally available on a consultative basis until March 31, 2026.
As Grace moves forward into this new chapter, we invite you to do three things. First, pray for Ben and Laura and their family, the leadership team, our staff, and the Board, trusting God’s guidance, as Philippians 4:6 reminds us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Second, engage with Ben- attend the Fall Celebration Event, share your ideas, and join us in this transition. Third, continue supporting Grace’s mission with your time, talent, treasure, and testimony, knowing that every step we take is for His glory.
Dan VanTimmeren, chair of Grace Adventures Ministries Board of Directors, said, “ Speaking for the Board, our
hearts are full of gratitude for what God has been doing through Grace Adventures Ministries, but just as excited for what lies ahead under Ben and his team’s leadership. This is also a celebration of Steve’s leadership and God’s faithfulness as we move into this new chapter. Please join me in covering Steve and Ben, their families, the Board and staff, and the ministry of Grace Adventures in prayer over these coming months.”
Ben VanderKodde, President-elect, shared, “Grace Adventures Ministries is strong because of God’s faithfulness and because of the staff. We have an amazing team full of gifted, called, passionate leaders. Our
mission is to Impact People with Jesus Christ. I believe we are positioned to increase our impact, not by doing more as individuals, but by intentionally using the strengths and wisdom God has given us. This is a continuation of what God has already been doing and a chance to build on it together. God has great plans for
students to be equipped and families to be strengthened in the years to come!”
You may have questions about what this means for Grace, and we are committed to transparency. We’ve created an FAQ document addressing details like the timeline, next steps, and how you can stay
involved. If you have any other questions, please contact our Development Director, Kayla Magnuson, at kayla@graceadventures.org. We value your voice and partnership, and thank you in advance for your continued prayers and support.