Our featured camp musician this month is Matthew Ruiz. Matthew first got involved with Young Life in high school, when he met the Lord at Frontier Ranch. He played guitar in high school, but it wasn’t until leading worship for his Young Life College team at Texas State University did he realize he wanted to take it seriously. With the inspiration from his older brother Lou Ruiz (fellow YL camp musician), he knew writing music for the Lord was what he wanted to do.
Matthew started playing music at weekend camps, beach trips and house shows around Texas and fell in love with it. He took his first summer assignment as camp musician at Camp Buckner and was incredibly thankful to use his gift and serve the Lord!
Matthew’s music: matthewruizmusic.com
Instagram: @Matthewdavidruiz
Twitter: @SirMatthewRuiz
What other Area Directors are saying about Matthew:
“Matthew Ruiz is one of my favorite musicians! His incredible talent and musical abilities draw kids into each time that he performs. Matthew has a humble, genuine nature that we had the privilege of witnessing each day through the way that he spent time with both the kids at camp and the staff on assignment. One of the things I enjoy most about Matthew’s music is that there is no guessing as to what he is singing about and to whom he is singing for. Matthew’s songs point very clearly to the message of the Gospel. Matthew is a blast to serve alongside at camp, and truly gets the purpose behind why we do what we do and how his music plays a role in all of it. I would choose Matthew for our assignment many times over.” – Joel Mason, Area Director, Corpus Christi, TX YoungLife
“I had the pleasure of serving on assignment with Matthew Ruiz this summer while he was the camp musician & was blown away by his talent & his “all in” attitude to anything the team was doing during our time on assignment. Matthew worked hard on his music & was careful to pick out songs that were the perfect complement to the talk progression at camp. It was easy for campers to connect with Matthew both through his music & his easy, creative, & fun personality. Throughout our time at camp Matthew helped lead club music at every club, helped with program, & was available during free time to hang-out & get to know campers. He has a genuine love for people, he understands & values the way that Young Life does ministry & works hard to play his part in the gospel progression. Matthew is a gifted musician, a good friend & has a true desire for others to know Christ – all of these things make him an excellent musician.” Emily Blair- Associate Area Director, Wichita Falls, TX
“All I knew about Matthew before stepping into our time at Camp Buckner this summer was what I could glean from stalking his Instagram feed and a 15 minute phone conversation long before our hearts and minds were really thinking about those upcoming 3 mid-summer weeks. With each assignment I’ve been on, there’s been a hidden gift – something I didn’t see coming. Without a doubt, that gift this year was Matthew Ruiz. It wouldn’t be accurate to say that his music “set the table” for the Gospel proclamation, simply because his music is its own attractive, creative and compelling proclamation of the Truth. Above and beyond his talent, Matthew is a good man with a good heart. If you haven’t met or heard Matthew yet, get ready, he’s going to be around for a long time.”- Michael Dees, Area Director, Young Life MS Gulf Coast
