Hi, everyone. My name is Ruszel Rubio and I have been going to Soul Anchor for more than half of my life.

I started going in 2010 when I was part of WIN-LV and I was actually 11 years old (pls keep it a secret). I then came back in 2012 and 2015 as part of WIN-SV for the national camps before finally being part of WIN-LA from 2016 onward. Since then I’ve been a cell leader twice, was part of planning teams twice, and led the planning team with Pastor Mark twice.

Life changing is an understatement. Soul Anchor is where I got baptized, where I met my soon-to-be wife, and where God used me to reach out to others to share about the Good News of Jesus Christ. I can share so many stories about each camp I’ve been to and have experienced it all from late nights at the snack bar, cabin fevers (only had one tho!), Shrek videos, pranks, bear hunting, and more. I remember my first camp when I didn’t go to cell group time and stayed in my cabin to nap and got in so much trouble (what was i supposed to do if i was tired). Then obviously the more life changing encounters of seeing the goodness of God manifested throughout his body. I remember playing piano/synth and we were playing Worthy of it All, going from chorus to bridge with a quiet piano instrumental. Everyone just started singing “day and night, night and day let incense arise.” None of the worship leaders or singers on stage sang into the mic, but all of God’s children in the chapel sang and I was just in awe of God’s goodness. And I thought this is really what heaven is going to sound like.

The best thing I can say about Soul Anchor is that it is an atmosphere where everyone is seeking after God. It is where you can lay it all down at the altar, break the chains that are holding you back, surrender all of your insecurities, and experience the love of our Father. The best part of Soul Anchor is not on the mountain, but it’s what happens down the mountain. It’s how your life has changed after your encounter with God. Soul Anchor is not a feeling we chase or moments we look back on, but it’s convergence point where we turn our faith into action for the furtherance of His kingdom.

Someone a long time ago was in my position doing their best to create a space for people who love God to sing praises, worship, and “dance before the Lord with all [their] might.” So my goal is to be an instrument to bring Soul Anchor from glory to glory, not mine but for His glory. This place has been my home, has seen me grow up, and has seen me step away. If I can ask one thing from you as a reader, it is to continue chasing after God’s heart, loving and trusting in Him unconditionally throughout the peaks and the valleys of life, and help bring more people, not just to Soul Anchor, but to know Jesus. I gave Soul Anchor and God my very best, all the gifts our Father has given me, my time, and sacrifice and I just ask that you do the same for the generations to come.