“There’s no waste at the altar.” That’s the key line from one of the most beloved songs in the Winter Camp setlist, and it’s perhaps the paradigm that most defined MSU and HSU’s camp weekend. Amid the controlled chaos of students claiming bunk beds, the production team prepping for Session 1, the Holy Spirit was quietly at work setting the table for the life change that would occur in unexpected ways.

The theme for WC25 was Muted. Life’s schedule is often loud, and our fears and conflicts are often even louder—making the still small voice of God muted by comparison. But as the weekend progressed, it became clear God wanted to make Himself plenty loud at camp. To kick off free time on Saturday, a tenth grade boy got baptized…in the lake…outside…in January. You might think watching someone get baptized would have less of a draw than paintball or high ropes, but the lakeside shore at Watermarks Camp was full of our students watching, tearing up, and applauding as one of their own publicly professed their faith in Jesus.

The most unexpected moment of the weekend came Saturday night, when a shy sixth grade girl volunteered as one of four students to go on stage and rap Dr Suess lyrics in our flagship camp activity, Oh The Places You’ll Flow. As she stepped up to the mic with the beat blaring in the background, we were all prepared to cheer no matter what. But we were blown away by her calm poise and rhythm as she rapped through the script. She became an instant camp legend, and the improvised and exaggerated fanfare that followed her performance will be a moment to remember, both for her and everybody present.

When you think of stories of life change at camp, you probably picture lakeside baptisms. It is likely the case that you don’t picture a sixth grade girl showcasing rap skills nobody expected. But the beauty of youth ministry is that both are stories of life change. Both honored and glorified King Jesus. Both are top tier examples of why camp matters. The Holy Spirit uses all of it.

There’s no waste at the altar.