Local group sees singer, songwriter Eli Gable in concert

November 26, 2025

By Erin Savarie
Contributing Writer

Each year at Camp Guggenheim, the staff come together to pick a theme song that the campers learn and sing each week throughout the summer. The theme song for Camp Guggenheim this past year was chosen as “Take The Reins” by rising Christian artist Eli Gable. The song focuses on the importance of surrender and trusting in God.

Following the closure of the camp season, Gable found a video via the Diocese of Ogdensburg youth Instagram from Camp Guggenheim of the campers and staff belting out his song together. He then remixed the video with a response, speaking about how meaningful it was to him and how it encouraged him as a Christian artist.

“That’s what it’s about,” explained Gable. “It’s the fact that God is using this music to connect people to Himself, and to help them feel seen. On my better days, I’m able to understand that the Creator of the universe, the One who existed for an eternity before time began, has better ideas and higher goals than I do for myself. On my lesser days, I need a video like that one to remind me what it’s all about.”

Around a month later, a small group of enthusiastic campers, along with a dedicated staff member from the previous camp season organized a special trip to Portland, Maine, to see Gable in concert.

“I was really excited to get to see Rend Collective and Eli Gable,” said Katie Samperi, a counselor from the 2025 camp season. “It was a really great experience. I went to see Eli Gable open but loved the Rend Collection portion, too. The first song of the night, Eli Gable started to play ‘Take the Reins.’ He opened the concert with that song. The whole night was a beautiful night of worship, and it started off with ‘Take the Reins.’ It was as if he was letting God take control of the concert and all the worship happening there. It was a good way to dedicate the night to God.”

Samperi said the version performed was slightly different than the one regularly played at camp.

“I always s love hearing songs live,” she said. “It adds a level of emotion and depth. The version of the song he performed was different from what we listened to all summer. I loved it!”

After the show, the campers and staff had the opportunity to attend a meet-and-greet session with Gable.

As a token of appreciation, the group presented Gable with several unique pieces of camp merchandise from the camp’s store – including t-shirts, hats, stickers, and even a small poster of the image of Jesus affiliated with camp, known as “Guggy Jesus” – each representing a piece of the camp’s identity. Gable seemed genuinely touched by the gifts and camp stories, taking time to pose for photos.

The meeting left a lasting impression on both the campers and Gable, further strengthening the special bond formed through faith, music and community.

“So many people were there to worship,” Samperi concluded. “It was awesome.”