MUUUCE 2025: God is Enough
For more than 35 years, MUUUCE (Most Unbelievable, Ultimate, Urban, Camping Experience) has been a highlight of summer for middle school students across the Northwest Conference. This year, 460 students and leaders from 29 churches gathered at Crossview Covenant Church in North Mankato, MN, for three days of connection, fun and life-changing encounters with Jesus.
Life-changing decisions
We’re celebrating that somewhere between 25 and 40 students made first-time commitments to Christ! Under the leadership of an incredible core team—Tony Ducklow, Kohl Hanson, Rocky Hovda, Zach Klein, Ginny Olson, Greg Schanil, Sarah St. Louis, Cheryl Theilen and Aaron Thompson—the event ran seamlessly, even in a triple-digit heat index with record-breaking humidity. We were honored to have Pete Sutton, the new ECC Director of Youth and Young Adults, with us for the weekend.
Incredible leaders
The youth ministry leaders from our 29 NWC churches were absolutely amazing, modeling perseverance and care for their students despite the sweltering conditions. One leader summed up the heart of MUUUCE well:
“This is my third year of being at MUUUCE, and I am so grateful to the leadership team for all the love, thought, prayer, time and effort that goes into this. … MUUUCE rocks. It’s worth sacrificing some sleep and basic hygiene to see students have fun, build deeper relationships and grow in their walk with Jesus Christ.”
Outstanding hospitality
Crossview Covenant did a phenomenal job hosting. Their security team, kitchen crew, decor team and medical staff were top-notch. The whole church provided countless behind-the-scenes donations that made the event possible. Imagine serving 460 middle schoolers and leaders tacos, hot dogs, hash browns, scrambled eggs, sausage, muffins, chips, cookies and tons of pizza—and doing it all with a smile!
Creating space for everyone
This year, we made a concerted effort to make MUUUCE welcoming to students with disabilities. Sarah St. Louis and Greg Schanil created two sensory rooms that were used by over 60 students and leaders. The response to our request for donations to stock those spaces was overwhelming—thank you to everyone who gave!
Nonstop fun
From massive inflatables, GAGA ball, a giant 9 Square and mini-golf to a silent disco, game shows, arts and crafts, a video game competition and a full day at Valleyfair, MUUUCE was packed with energy. This year’s CHAOS belt (Crazy Humans Attempting Outrageous Stunts) went to Maria Francisca Alarcon Gonzalez from Unidad, who, when asked about her secret to winning, exclaimed, “I’m a grandma!”
Worship & the Word
Worship was led by the SummerFest Band, preparing hearts to hear from Maurice and Aisha Cox. Together, they unpacked our theme, Enough, based on 2 Corinthians 12:9. Students wrestled with questions like, “What do I need to say Enough to?” and “Where have I not felt like Enough, but God says I am?” They discovered the hope that God’s presence and love are always enough.
Gratitude & final word
A huge thanks to North Park University for sponsoring T-shirts so every student could have one. Their generosity—along with the dedication of leaders, volunteers and our churches—made MUUUCE 2025 possible. One leader summed it up:
“MUUUCE isn’t just for the kids … It’s a powerful reminder that we as leaders are enough, and that God will use the Holy Spirit to work through us when we don’t have the words or know what to do. He will guide us, always.”
MUUUCE has never just been about big games and crazy stunts. It’s about creating an environment where middle schoolers can experience joy, belonging and the truth of the Gospel. We can’t wait to see what God does next.
