Rescued Girls Sang Hymns as They Evacuated: ‘One of the Most Devastating Things I’ve Ever Seen’
Texas— As floodwaters rapidly swallowed parts of East Texas in early July, a harrowing scene unfolded at Trinity Pines Conference Center near Livingston. More than 100 girls from Faith Church of Houston were attending a Christian summer camp when the deadly deluge swept through the area.
Amid the chaos and fear, eyewitnesses and rescue workers were stunned to hear the voices of the young girls echoing across the floodwaters—singing hymns.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Zachary Gresham, director of children’s ministries at Faith Church. “It was one of the most devastating things I’ve ever seen, but at the same time, it was one of the most beautiful. These girls, surrounded by rising water, were singing praises to God. It reminded me of the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—undaunted in the fire.”
@cbsnews Young girls from Camp Mystic were filmed singing Christian songs as they evacuated by bus amid flooding that killed more than two dozen campers and staff. At least 95 people are confirmed to have died in the Texas Hill Country flash floods, including at least 27 campers, counselors and staff members of the all-girls camp. 10 children and a counselor have yet to be accounted for in the wake of the disaster, which saw the nearby Guadalupe River rise 26 feet in 45 minutes. #campmystic #flood #texas #hillcountry #weather
Over 400 people were safely evacuated from the camp thanks to quick action by first responders and volunteers. The flooding, caused by days of torrential rainfall, claimed multiple lives across the region and destroyed critical infrastructure. Yet amid the destruction, the spiritual resilience of the campers made national headlines.
Among the victims are eight-year-old twin sisters Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence. Their grandfather said the joy they gave their family can never be forgotten.
Photo provided by John Lawrence on July 7, 2025, shows twin sisters, Hanna Lawrence, left, and Rebecca Lawrence, right, who were two the victims killed by the flooding at Camp Mystic in central Texas on July 4. (John Lawrence via AP)
One powerful moment was captured on video and shared online—dozens of girls, ankle-deep in water, singing “Waymaker,” “This Little Light of Mine,” and other hymns. Despite their youth, the girls demonstrated the kind of calm that can only come from faith rooted deep.
Sixteen-year-old twins Serenity and Trinity, who were attending the camp, spoke publicly about the experience for the first time this week. “We were scared,” said Trinity, “but we just kept singing. It helped us remember that God was with us even in the storm.” Serenity added, “Some of the younger girls were crying, so we just held hands and kept singing until help came.”
The camp’s destruction was nearly total. Furniture, personal belongings, and entire cabins were swept away. But Gresham and others emphasized that what truly mattered—the faith and safety of the campers—remained untouched. “The enemy may come in like a flood,” said Gresham, “but the Lord lifts up a standard against it. That’s exactly what we saw.”
According to Liberty County authorities, emergency crews had to utilize boats to reach campers trapped by the rising waters. As they pulled the children to safety, some of the rescue workers themselves broke down in tears. “They weren’t screaming,” said one firefighter. “They were singing. I’ll never forget that sound for as long as I live.”
Mainstream media outlets have reported on the tragedy primarily as a weather disaster. But many Christian observers and conservative faith leaders view it differently—not as a tale of victimhood, but of unwavering belief in God’s sovereignty. “This was a testimony, not a tragedy,” commented Christian author Jenna Holloway. “The world saw disaster; those girls saw deliverance.”
Parents who reunited with their daughters expressed both anguish and gratitude. Jessica King, mother of two young girls at the camp, said, “It broke my heart to see the fear in their eyes, but it filled my soul to hear them tell me they never stopped praying and singing.” King added, “This is what we train them for—not just to know Bible stories, but to live them.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott visited the affected areas and praised local churches and ministries for stepping in as shelters and relief centers. “Once again, it’s the Christian community showing up in the toughest times, not just with aid, but with hope,” he said. Faith Church has launched a rebuilding fund and is partnering with other churches to ensure the camp can reopen next summer.
Despite the trauma, many families say they’re more resolved than ever to keep their children in faith-based environments. “Public schools and secular camps don’t give you what we saw in those girls,” said Pastor Daniel Ramos of Houston. “What we saw was the fruit of biblical discipleship. These girls didn’t just believe in God; they depended on Him.”
While some in the media quickly shifted focus to climate change narratives, Christian leaders urged Americans not to miss the greater message. “Let’s not forget,” said Holloway, “this isn’t just about weather patterns. This is about spiritual formation. In the darkest moment, light sang out.”
The National Weather Service continues to warn of additional rain in the region, and churches across East Texas are preparing for more possible evacuations. Still, for many, the story of these girls stands as a reminder of true courage and enduring faith.
“What those girls showed us is what this nation desperately needs,” said Gresham. “Not fear. Not division. But childlike faith that sings when the waters rise.”
Keywords:
Texas flood, Christian camp, rescued girls, faith in crisis, hymns during disaster, Trinity Pines flood, childlike faith, biblical courage, Zachary Gresham, conservative Christian response