New Major Gifts Officer, Mary-Grace Wallace

When people ask what it feels like to step into my new role as Major Gifts Officer at Warm Beach Camp Ministries, the answer is simple: it feels like coming home in a new way.

My story with Warm Beach Camp began when I was nine years old. I came to camp for a week of overnight camp, excited for all the adventures that come with summer camp. One of those adventures was vaulting on the camp horses. Even though I had horses at home, there was something different about this place. I was captivated, not just by the horses, but by the people, the joy, and the atmosphere that surrounded camp.

Growing up, I consistently attended church and Sunday School with my family. While I knew about God, Warm Beach Camp was where I first learned I could have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That truth changed my life. Camp became more than a place I visited. It became part of my story.

Over the years, my love for Warm Beach Camp has only continued to grow. I love camp in every season. I love the excitement of summer campers discovering new confidence, the wonder of The Lights of Christmas, the retreat groups finding rest and renewal, and the countless everyday moments that often go unnoticed. I love our guests, our volunteers, our faithful supporters, and the incredible staff I have the privilege of serving alongside.

One of the greatest gifts God has given me is a genuine love for people. I love building relationships, hearing people’s stories, discovering what matters most to them, and helping them find meaningful ways to be part of something bigger than themselves. For me, fundraising has never been about asking for money. It is about connecting people with a mission that changes lives and inviting them to become part of that story.

What has always inspired me most is witnessing transformation. Whether it’s a child meeting Christ for the first time, a family reconnecting, a volunteer discovering their purpose, or someone finding hope through the ministry of our horses, I have seen firsthand how God works in this place. Those moments remind me that Warm Beach Camp is much more than a camp. It is a ministry where lives are changed every day.

For the past several years, I have had the privilege of serving as Warm Beach Camp’s Horsemanship Donor Relations Coordinator. Building relationships with our donors and sharing the impact of their generosity has been one of the greatest joys of my career. Every conversation has reinforced my belief that generosity grows through authentic relationships and shared purpose.

Now, as I step into the role of Major Gifts Officer, I feel both humbled and excited. This new position allows me to build even deeper relationships with the people who make this ministry possible. My goal is not simply to invite financial support, but to walk alongside our supporters, celebrate what God is doing through their generosity, and help connect their hearts with the life-changing ministry happening every day at Warm Beach Camp Ministries.

Looking back, it’s amazing to think that a nine-year-old girl who came to camp hoping to ride horses would one day have the opportunity to help sustain the ministry that shaped her own life. I am deeply grateful for God’s faithfulness, for the people who have invested in this place for generations, and for the opportunity to help ensure that future campers and guests experience the same life-changing love of Christ that I found here.

It is an incredible privilege to continue serving a place that has meant so much to me for so many years, and I look forward to building relationships that will help this ministry continue changing lives for generations to come.

– Mary-Grace Wallace, Major Gifts Officer
Warm Beach Camp Ministries