Grace Adventures 
The information on this page was last updated 4/17/2026. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Grace Adventures Ministries exists to help students, adults, and families grow personally, relationally, and spiritually. We do this year-round on our four campuses and in communities through training, retreats, and camps.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Grace Adventures
2100 N Ridge Rd
Mears, MI 49436
Website: GAMinistries.org
Phone: 231-873-3662
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 386117980
CEO/President: Ben Vander Kodde
Chairman: Dan VanTimmeren
Board size: 11
Founder: Grace Gospel Fellowship
Ruling year: 1966
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 2007
Purpose
Grace exists to equip students and strengthen families by providing a safe, fun, challenging, and Christ-centered environment where they can relax, learn, grow, and connect deeper with each other and with God.
Mission statement
Grace Adventures mission is to Impact People with Jesus Christ.
Statement of faith
We believe that the sixty-six books of Holy Scripture as originally given are in their entirety the Word of God, verbally inspired and wholly without error in all that they declare and therefore are the supreme and final authority of faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:21)
We believe in one Triune God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deut 6:4; 1 Timothy 2:5; Eph 4:4-6; Matt 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14)
We believe in the Virgin Birth and the deity of Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, who is also Son of Man, with two distinct natures in one person. (Luke 1:35; Phil 2:6-9; Rom 1:3,4)
We believe that the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ on the cross made atonement for the sin of the world, sufficient for all who accept Him as their Savior. (Rom 3:23-28; 5:1,9; Eph 2:8,9)
We believe in the bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, which insures the resurrection of all believers who have received God's gift of eternal life. (Lk24:39-43; 1 Cor 15:20-22; Acts 24:15; John 5:28,29; Rev 20:11-15)
We believe in the imminent, visible and bodily return of Christ. (1Thess 4:13-18; Phil 3:20,21; Zech 14:4,9; Acts 1:10,11; Rev 19:11-16; 20-4-6)
We believe that people were created in the image of God, that they were born into sin through the fall of the first Adam and that they are responsible for their own sin. Sin causes them to be separated from God and apart from Jesus Christ and lost eternally. (Gen 1:26,27; Rom 3:9-12,23; 6:23; Eph 2:1-3)
We believe that marriage is defined between one man and one woman. (Gen 1:27,28; Gen 2:24,25; Matt 19:4-6)
We believe that sexual activity is created and blessed by God. It is only appropriate in a marriage between one man and one woman. Any form of sexual activity outside of marriage is sin and separates the persons from God. (Gen 1:27,28; Gen 2:24,25; Ex 20:14,17; Lev 18;22,23; 20:13,15,16; Matt 19:4-6; Rom 1:18-31; 1 Cor 6:9,10, 15-20; 1 Tim 1:8-11; Jude 7)
We believe that salvation from everlasting punishment and entrance into a state of fellowship with God are secured only by a personal belief that Christ bore our sins in His own body on the cross and by a definite receiving of Christ, through the person of the Holy Spirit, into one's inner being. We believe that all of the saved are eternally secure in Christ. (Col 3:1-4; Phil 1:6; Rom 8:1, 29-34, 38,39; John 10:27-29; 16:8; Eph 1:13,1417,18; 3:16; 1 Cor 12:13; Titus 3:5)
We believe that God's people are called to holiness in all aspects of life. ( 2 Cor7:1; Heb 12:14; 1 Pet 1:15,16 2 Tim 1:9; Eph 5:3)
We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells all who receive Jesus Christ as both Savior and Lord and that the indwelling of the Spirit is fully complete in Christ at the moment of salvation. (John 16:7,8, 13-15; Rom 8:1,2; 10:9; Acts 2:38; 1 Cor 1:12; 6:19, 2 Tim 1:14)
We believe the Holy Spirit quickens from death into life and continues the work of sanctification in the believer. (Rom 8:9-15; 1 Cor 6:11; Gal 5:16-25; Phil 2:12-13; 1 Pet 1:2)
We believe that all believers comprise the church, which is the body of Christ, and that Christians are called to witness for Christ. (1 Cor 12:13; Eph 1:22,23; 3:6; 2 Cor 5:14-21; 2 Tim 4:2; Gal 1:8,9; Rom 15:20; 2 Cor 10:16)
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Donor confidence score
Show donor confidence score details
To understand our donor confidence score, click here.
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Camps/Conference Centers
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 618 of 1420 | 17 of 37 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 473 of 1420 | 14 of 37 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 194 of 1420 | 3 of 37 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 1320 of 1421 | 36 of 37 |
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 | 8% | 6% | 1% | 4% | 5% | 6% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 3% | 2% | 0% | 2% | 2% | 3% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 30% | 28% | 80% | 51% | 39% | 52% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 3% | 2% | 2% | 4% | 3% | 4% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 70% | 72% | 20% | 49% | 61% | 48% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 81% | 93% | 93% | 90% | 90% | 89% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 95% | 95% | 23% | 57% | 63% | 77% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 79% | 88% | 22% | 51% | 56% | 69% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 5% | 5% | 77% | 43% | 37% | 23% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 3% | 1% | 57% | 20% | 17% | 8% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 15% | 6% | 5% | 7% | 7% | 7% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.38 | 0.18 | 0.15 | 0.25 | 0.27 | 0.25 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 3.70 | 10.15 | 10.25 | 3.33 | 2.57 | 3.87 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.56 | 1.82 | 1.52 | 0.82 | 0.70 | 0.95 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 5.45 | 5.28 | 4.80 | 3.96 | 7.90 | 5.97 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.18 | 0.19 | 0.21 | 0.25 | 0.13 | 0.17 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.37 | 5.34 | 6.25 | 10.88 | 14.89 | 10.51 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 8% | 11% | 14% | 8% | 5% | 4% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 256% | 497% | 578% | 374% | 347% | 389% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Cash | $3,309,827 | $3,383,121 | $4,279,990 | $4,297,638 | $2,217,630 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $104,829 | $126,721 | $84,287 | $65,357 | $32,015 |
| Short-term investments | $334,291 | $308,833 | $280,100 | $347,253 | $312,682 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $3,748,947 | $3,818,675 | $4,644,377 | $4,710,248 | $2,562,327 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $34,321,474 | $35,328,871 | $10,843,376 | $7,241,880 | $7,344,599 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $131,668 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $34,321,474 | $35,328,871 | $10,843,376 | $7,373,548 | $7,344,599 |
| Total assets | $38,070,421 | $39,147,546 | $15,487,753 | $12,083,796 | $9,906,926 |
| Liabilities | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $709,606 | $795,340 | $1,172,369 | $596,236 | $429,169 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $709,606 | $795,340 | $1,172,369 | $596,236 | $429,169 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $3,443,879 | $4,799,772 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $3,443,879 | $4,799,772 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $4,153,485 | $5,595,112 | $1,172,369 | $596,236 | $429,169 |
| Net assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Without donor restrictions | $33,915,688 | $33,551,186 | $14,304,225 | $11,485,516 | $9,440,489 |
| With donor restrictions | $1,248 | $1,248 | $11,159 | $2,044 | $37,268 |
| Net assets | $33,916,936 | $33,552,434 | $14,315,384 | $11,487,560 | $9,477,757 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Total contributions | $2,038,109 | $20,005,409 | $3,409,990 | $2,079,191 | $1,645,539 |
| Program service revenue | $5,083,566 | $4,947,021 | $3,328,457 | $2,752,229 | $1,504,296 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $70,760 | $75,596 | $619 | $12,614 | ($2,446) |
| Other revenue | ($21,988) | ($12,449) | ($9,427) | $451,952 | $12,059 |
| Total other revenue | $5,132,338 | $5,010,168 | $3,319,649 | $3,216,795 | $1,513,909 |
| Total revenue | $7,170,447 | $25,015,577 | $6,729,639 | $5,295,986 | $3,159,448 |
| Expenses | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Program services | $6,323,523 | $5,428,266 | $3,428,252 | $2,991,712 | $2,170,283 |
| Management and general | $379,013 | $266,234 | $265,292 | $227,567 | $174,077 |
| Fundraising | $125,026 | $114,156 | $135,148 | $95,425 | $90,645 |
| Total expenses | $6,827,562 | $5,808,656 | $3,828,692 | $3,314,704 | $2,435,005 |
| Change in net assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $342,885 | $19,206,921 | $2,900,947 | $1,981,282 | $724,443 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $342,885 | $19,206,921 | $2,900,947 | $1,981,282 | $724,443 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Steve Prudhomme | President | $119,889 |
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 4/17/2026. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
1946 - Founded as Grace Youth Camp
Established in 1946 as a ministry of the Grace Gospel Fellowship. Originally, GYC consisted of a traditional summer camp program hosted at various camp locations in Illinois and Michigan.
1966 - Upper Silver Lake Location
In 1966 Grace Youth Camp was given land on the newly developed Upper Silver Lake through partnerships with the GGF and many others. Grace begins running Community Worship.
1980 - Paradise Ranch Started
Paradise Ranch, an extension of the ministry of Grace Youth Camp was founded and started running summer horse camps
1998 - Ministry Moves Forward
The Board of Directors approved the site plan, laying out the facilities needed to meet the current and future ministry demands. Significant changes were made in developing and expanding Grace's facilities, resulting in a comprehensive Leadership Training Center.
Oct-2004 - Grace Adventures
In October 2004, Grace Youth Camp officially changed its name to Grace Adventures to reflect the year-round ministry.
Jan-2005 - Beacon Was Built
Jan-2009 - The Keep Was Built
May-2016 - Dunes Harbor Family Camp
Dunes Harbor Family Camp, a Christian Family Campground and extension of the family ministry of Grace Adventures opens.
2023 - A Year of Growth
Grace Adventures Ministries completes the construction of Lakeview Commons, a new dining facility, and acquires The Shack, a log lodge conference and retreat center.
2025 - Leadership Transition
Steve Prudhomme retires after 29 years of faithful service. Ben Vander Kodde begins serving as President of Grace Adventures Ministries.
Program accomplishments
50,000+ yearly people served
9,500+ annual hours volunteered
300+ housing for groups
300+ yearly groups served