As Volunteer Manager for Mercy Chefs, overseeing volunteer operations nationwide and coordinating teams of up to 200 people every four hours during major deployments, Molly MacDonald, Class of 2013, has learned that disaster relief demands more than logistics and leadership—it demands faith. And time and again, God proves that His presence is enough.
“When Mercy Chefs deployed in response to the Hamas attack on Israel, I received only three hours’ notice to pack my bags and get on a plane,” Molly said. “The urgency was intense, and as I traveled from Turkey to Jordan, the weight of what I was heading into began to settle on me. Mid-flight, I suddenly felt like I was going to faint. I rushed to the plane’s lavatory as my heart raced and my breathing spiraled out of control. I began to black out and fumbled to press the call button for help.
“In that moment, I realized this wasn’t just panic—it felt deeply spiritual,” she continued. “I knew I was stepping directly into a place filled with fear, pain, and darkness, and I also knew I could not walk into that environment in my own strength. So right there, in that cramped airplane bathroom, I began proclaiming the name of Jesus—again and again and again. It was all I could do. I surrendered the fear, the assignment, and the month ahead into His hands.”
From that moment on, He met Molly with supernatural peace.
“Every single day I was there, despite the tension and uncertainty surrounding us, that peace stayed with me. It became a constant reminder that when my faith is tested, Jesus is faithful—and His presence is enough,” she said.
Fulfilling a Mission
What Molly does isn’t just a job; it’s a mission. And it’s often difficult. A core part of her role is serving as the bridge between the chefs, culinary aides, and volunteers—making sure everyone is aligned and equipped to uphold Mercy Chef’s standard of hot, fresh, restaurant-quality meals. She is placed in challenging environments—areas torn apart by disaster, moments of civil unrest, or even war zones. Yet in every situation, she’s learned that the Kingdom is advanced through simple, intentional love.
“It can be costly, but it is always worth it,” she said. “I’ve been able to further the Kingdom of God by saying yes to His will—yes to showing up for Him and the assignments He places in front of me, yes to putting in the effort rather than offering an empty yes, and yes to listening to His voice so I can truly listen to others.”
Molly attended StoneBridge School from Pre-K through 12th grade, then continued her education at Liberty University, obtaining a degree in Speech Communication. While she looks back very fondly on her time at StoneBridge, she also acknowledges it wasn’t easy.
“I was never a student who succeeded easily in school,” she admitted. “I had to work hard for every bit of it (and if any of my past teachers are reading this, they would absolutely agree!). But what StoneBridge gave me—something I didn’t fully recognize until I began managing volunteers—was a foundation far deeper than academics. StoneBridge showed me what grace looks like. They showed me what it means not to give up on a student. They taught me the importance of truly listening to the individual in front of you and recognizing that not everyone learns the same way.”
Molly notes that her teachers modeled what it looks like to be a servant of Jesus in both patience and compassion.
“I’ve carried those lessons with me into every role I’ve held: from being a tour guide and helping guests at Walt Disney World Guest Relations, to my current work managing volunteers—many of whom have never cooked or served hot meals before,” she said. “In every setting, I find myself coming back to what StoneBridge instilled in me: listen well, serve with grace, and give people room to grow.”
“It’s amazing how when someone invests life into you, your natural response becomes wanting to turn around and do the same for others,” she added.
Making a Lasting Impact
Whether she’s serving in disaster zones, leading teams of volunteers, or simply walking through everyday life with her family and community, Molly strives to let the Gospel be the driving force behind all she does. Her heart for service reflects a deep desire to shine Christ’s love wherever He places her—showing that faithful obedience, in both extraordinary moments and ordinary days, can make a lasting impact on the world around her.
“My hope is that the same Christ-centered foundation I received (at StoneBridge) continues to not only shape me, but also ripple outward to those around me,” she said.
For Molly, Christ-like servanthood is lived out in the small, intentional moments of giving to others. She notes that one of the ways she does this is by carrying around mustard seed necklaces.
“Some are for people already in my life, and some for the women I meet in disaster areas, whether they are volunteers or receiving a hot, fresh, restaurant-quality meal,” she said. “It’s a simple gesture, but it symbolizes faith, hope, and the reminder that God can do incredible things with something as small as a mustard seed. These moments remind me that servanthood is really about saying yes to Him and no to myself—choosing daily to deny my own comfort, my own plans, and my own preferences so that I can show up for others in the way Jesus shows up for us.”
Sometimes that looks like long days in disaster zones, and sometimes it looks like pausing to listen, encourage, or pray with someone right in front of her.
“It’s a daily choice to follow His example of sacrifice, humility, and love—trusting that each act of obedience, no matter how small, furthers His Kingdom in ways I may never fully see,” she said.
No matter what she is doing—whether it’s speaking with a volunteer or someone receiving a meal—Molly believes listening has become one of the most powerful ways to share the love of Jesus.
“Being present, hearing their stories, and offering compassion is where ministry truly happens.”
Practicing Christ-Like Leadership
While at StoneBridge, Molly was involved in JV Volleyball and Drama.
“I loved being part of drama productions at StoneBridge,” she said. “With a bit of theatre in my background, it was so fun to help bring those shows to life. My classmates will always hold a special place in my heart—growing up together from K-4 through senior year created bonds that still matter today, and I’m grateful I still keep in touch with some of them.”
In many ways, Molly’s life after graduation has continually given her opportunities to practice true Christ-like leadership—but she has learned she can only do this if her life is fully surrendered to Jesus.
“Biblical leadership doesn’t begin with influence or responsibility; it begins with intimacy with Him,” she acknowledged. “If I’m not talking with the Lord, seeking His wisdom, and spending time in the Word, then I cannot successfully lead, serve, or steward the people He’s entrusted to me. My ability to represent Christ with wisdom and humility flows directly from staying connected to Him.”
“As I oversee volunteers, serve in disaster zones, and interact with people from all walks of life, I’m reminded daily that leadership is not about position—it’s about posture. A surrendered heart, guided by Scripture and grounded in prayer, is what allows me to lead in a way that reflects Christ, serves others well, and furthers His Kingdom,” she concludes.
Molly MacDonald is the featured speaker for the StoneBridge School Alumni Chapel on Thursday, January 8, 2026.
Learn more about StoneBridge School Alumni here.
