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Welcome to Tactical Team
God has blessed us with the task of helping people come fully alive through discipleship and education in the context of community. Our team has committed to giving their all to carry out this mission. Will you join us?
"The most eloquent testimony to the reality of the resurrection is not an empty tomb or a well-orchestrated pageant on Easter Sunday but rather a group of people whose life together is so radically different, so completely changed from the way the world builds a community that there can be no explanation other than that something decisive has happened in history."
College Recruiting Updates
Past Cohorts
Current Cohort
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Camp Recruiting Updates
Past Summer Camps
2026 Summer Camps
Tactical Team Giving
July
Total Team Contributions
High Fives & Red Flags
- Miss Jean has a really tactful approach to digging deeper with questions.
- Owen for leading the charge for all the Dixon guys moving over to the Cabin.
- Nathaniel for hosting a great game of manhunt with C10 on Thursday night during All Team.
- Davis & Isaiah for hosting an incredible experience for C9 during last week's breakout.
- Cass for social media posting and for tackling marketing overall. Getting into new rhythms.
- Sage - her presence was missed while she was in camps over the summer. High five that she's back!
- The depth of discussion in the C9 cohort.
- Tom & Isaiah for helping with Micah's bachelor party.
- Austin for hosting a beautiful time of prayer at Micah's bachelor party.
- Jackson for letting Isaiah put a screw in his tire for a demonstration.
- Isaiah for hosting last week's All Team on car maintenance.
- Zach for the great work he's doing in the kitchen. He's super organized.
- Bears are back!
- Trash by Creekside needs to be picked up
House Narratives
Here, you'll find the latest updates, high fives, challenges faced, ongoing goals, and the matters that need our collective prayers for each of our houses. This way, we ensure we all remain in swing, supporting and uplifting each other as one community working towards common goals.
Natalie’s last narrative (with Sage)!
Monday - Monday was a little crazy because I was stuck in Charlotte for most of the day. But the girls said dinner was good and went well.
Tuesday - Academy started on Tuesday, and it was a great first day. The class structure for the younger ages has changed a bit, but Sage feels like it flows a lot better, and she’s excited about the changes to her schedule. All Team was Deon; his messages are always so good!
Wednesday - Wednesday Sage had work in the morning and then went to pick Natalie up from the airport. Dinner was at White House, and it was good; the fellowship cultivated by having dinner at other houses is a really awesome thing to see. Even just conversation about Halloween costumes can bring life in unexpected ways, and the way all the girls at White House, but especially Hannah and Gabbie, make others feel welcomed is a gift. Riley and Aaliyah hosted a worship night in the great room; Charity and Sage went right after dinner and really enjoyed it.
Thursday - at all team on Thursday, Shannon, Davis, and Lee gave an announcement about some upcoming changes to the program. It honestly seems pretty exciting, but it is a big change, very soon! From Natalie’s conversations with everyone, C9 seems pretty excited about it. Not too much is changing for them, but it’ll be nice to have more breathing room. C10 is definitely more on the fence. It seems like a lot of them are stressed about having to contact their employers to change their schedules. Some are also pretty sad at the thought of having less time in the program to spend together. Natalie encouraged the girls to reach out to their coaches, and some of them already have. After all team, several of us went to Margaret’s craft night (from gray: myself, Brighten, Emily, Talia, and Alyssa)! It was so much fun! Even though there was still a lot of shock about the news, the conversations were very positive!
Friday - For Bible on Friday, we started Philippians, and Deon gave an introduction and overview to the whole book. For make up bible we read the first two chapters of Philippians with Isaiah and had a great discussion afterwards.
The weekend - over the weekend, everyone was busy with work and/or one of Conlin’s climbing days. Alyssa, Talia, Sage, Charity, and Emily all went climbing and had a great time! Natalie also got to have one last shift with Brighten at work, which was very bittersweet.
- Sage: To McKenzie for letting me borrow her car to pick up Natalie from the airport.
- To Hannah and White House for always being down to host/let us use their kitchen for cook teams!
- To Summer, for hosting Pride and Prejudice and watch parties every Monday!
- To Conlin, for the climbing days
- Some of the C10 gals are pretty upset about the changes. The ones I’ve talked to mainly wish more notice was given. There are also still a lot of unanswered questions. But I encouraged all of the girls I spoke with to avoid gossip and reach out to people with their concerns.
- Have that house meeting on the last Friday of the month
- Do something fun as a house and get a picture!
- New, healthy rhythms for the home
- High spirits and momentum moving into this new season
This week has been characterized by lingering, harmony, resilience, and abundance.
Monday, Kenzie and I finished our 1.5-week sugar fast. It was awesome to do that with her, and after debriefing with her about it, we learned that (1) we feel better, (2) are less tempted with sugar, and (3) enjoy treats with other all the more. This gal never hesitates to jump on a challenge with me!
Tuesday, Deon talked about new wine and wineskins between theology that lingers in the confines of the mind and theology that overflows from the mind to the life. This can invite the women to consider the discrepancies between what they want, say, and do.
Wednesday, White House and Gray House had peanut butter chicken & rice for dinner! It was a huge hit! Margaret and Brighten definitely brought the laughter to the table, going back and forth like the flow of an uninterrupted stream. Afterwards, I went to the Great Room for Aaliyah & Riley's worship night! I understand valleys to be represented in Scripture as low life trials & testing, where the humus in man meets the Lord on his knees. The worship time was marked by valley worship on the mountain; two gals bodily broken but spiritually growing minister like grapes crushed in the vat for others to drink the juice. Afterwards, Caydance, Riley, Kenzie, and Rachel McNary enjoyed GF DF cheesecake, conversational games, and prayer requests together. I feel very welcomed in Creekside, like my second home, and am glad to experience that which wouldn't have been possible had I stayed in the same house my whole time here at Excel. Change is a big way God gives us abundance!
Thursday at the Drip, I heard some of Maria's testimony with where she's come from, passions she has right now, and goals with where she wants to go with her time here at Excel. She is driven by uncanny compassion that sees people as they are, not as their flaws/past. We filled the time with honest, deep conversation before heading to All-Team. There, Shannon, Lee, and Davis shared the new Excel schedule with the whole campus! It included three weekly class days, Monday cook teams for 3 lunches and 2 dinners every week, and accelerated education with more space in the schedule to work, rest, and hang out. Afterwards, we broke into classes, and Isaiah and Haak debriefed with us and our questions. *Literally so thankful for when faculty are open to our questions immediately in-person--difficult and productive. Two gals cried when we talked about our schedules being less stressful/busy and more enjoyable, and I felt a lot of celebratory camaraderie amidst my class. We've worked hard together, resilient with balancing work and relationships for the first time away from home. That night, I went upstairs in Creekside to draw with Kenzie, and debriefed about the day with Rachel McNary and Caydance.
Friday, we had our house gathering. There, we hi-5'd (out of intentionality and not default) each other, shared fun conversations, and hot-seated our dear Margaret! Afterwards, we lingered 15 more minutes before heading to class which was culture we've been praying for! C10 is wrapping up Anthropology, while C9 talked hospitality. We both will overlap in the art module after break! Notably during C9's class, the ceiling lights kept going out and the emergency bright lights turned out, but my class literally did not react. Rather, we sat and interacted as if all were normal, which demonstrates resiliency to change like no other! After class, Rachel Van Weiss joined the White House! She moved in with Anna, and Summer moved in with me! That night, I worked at Ridgecrest for the first time with Margaret as shift leader! She was rocking it! There, we've had some struggles with the work ethic/respect with Egyptian summer staff, but Margaret and Rachel have been pushing through! The somewhat rough start will prepare them well for whatever the future holds! Things that stood out to me about her: (1) She is a very gentle and detail-oriented leader, (2) she will do the hard but necessary things, and (3) she is attentive and available to assist others throughout the shift.
Saturday, I worked at Ridgecrest with Rachel as shift leader again. She seems to be getting more comfortable in her new place at Ridgecrest, and it's especially helpful to have coworkers she's good friends with on the shift. Afterwards, Audge, Anna, Kenzie, and I watched a couple episodes of Polar Opposites with some triple chocolate mousse cake from Ridgecrest (seriously yummy!). It was so awesome just relaxing together over the things we love... I can see lots of movie/craft nights coming with the supposedly introverted C11.
Sunday, we left the house at 8:30 a.m. for this really industrial/adventurous coffee shop called Fox & the Fig with Johanna. The gals were so excited that they were literally tugging at my car handles before I could finish parking and unlock the doors! She and Juliette have definitely left their legacies through their actions and personal lifestyles. Afterwards, we went to her church, then to her home for lunch. It was awesome to have the everyday, brilliant conversations all together. Her mother homemade mashed potatoes, ground beef and gravy, and peas--food to die for! Dessert was also very delicious! Johanna and her family were so hospitable, and I'm glad that Summer was able to experience it for the first time! Next, we went to the orchard for farm-market treats, sunny field walks, and landscape pics. Audge had 1-1 time with Johanna on the ride back, and the rest of us enjoyed a windows-down, music-up drive! Then so many women--students, alumni, community members--came for Audge's movie night! It was full of fellowship, snacks, and a thrilling movie!
That's a wrap!
- Kenzie, for continuing to make room for me in her life (hospitality)!
- Excel faculty, for being very attentive to student/Excel life and bringing us a new schedule to make room for more!
- Summer, for carrying most of the kitchen when I was dizzy/lightheaded on Sunday after our trip!
- Aaliyah & Riley for their down-to-earth, looking-up-to-heaven worship night!
- Caydance, Riley, Kenzie, and Rachel McNary for going on cheesecake adventures!
- Susanna Bekedam, for letting me shadow her the other day and see more missions work at Ascend! She is a very beautiful living testimony of God's gentility and faithfulness!
- Margaret, for hosting her arts and craft night! She definitely brings hospitality and creativity to White House!
- Johanna and the Schalabachs for hosting us well!
- C9, for the beautiful, complex, adventurous road we trek together!
- Maria, for being open about her testimony, goals, and health!
- Rachel for moving in well and doing her cleaning tasks efficiently!
- Margaret, Rachel, and Kenzie for navigating leadership at Ridgecrest with integrity, heart, and endurance!
- I feel like whenever I ask the gals for something (e.g., unloading the dishwasher, lowering volume before curfew for those sleeping) I get questioned as to why and it doesn't easily get done. This only happened a couple times this week, but it's hard to have teamwork/a unified stride in the house when this happens
- Connected with a coach about this, but Norah is definitely missed in the house.
- Create and follow a tracker for work-break tasks/projects
- Condense my own spaces
- Pray over the home continuously
Hi Abba, it's nice to connect about the house together. I pray over the hearts of the gals in the home--including mine. Please guide me in Your winsome way, that I can lead in a way that wins the gals' hearts to the truth! I pray absolute liberty, camaraderie, unity, joy, peace, and creativity over us. May we be long-suffering, bearing our burdens together, encouraging our spirits together, covering our backs, and hearing each other out. Open my eyes and heart to what they have to say, and that You grow me to be receptive to the Spirit and to follow You out of joy--I trust the fruit will take care of itself. May we be women who are in awe of You in our hospitality, creativity, and relationships! In Jesus' over-abundant name, Amen.
- Monday was a great turn out for house dinner--8 women! I announced the house updates: Ellie moving, Rachel Weiss moving, and Mickey moving in. We are huge fans of Zach Pile in charge of meals. The lemon garlic chicken last week was a huge hit!
- Tuesday All Team was Deon, speaking on new wineskins. I walked home with several of the women that night.
- Wednesday was about 5 women at dinner. It was the first day of work for Maria, and it seems like things are going well. I'm glad to see a lot of the women reaching out to hang out with her.
- Thursday at All Team, they announced the new class schedules for each class coming up after break. The house was abuzz afterwards with everyone's thought on the new schedule.
- Friday, McKenzie and I had our chosen watch party.
- Zach Pile, for a great job with original recipes!
- Caydance and Rachael McNary cleaned the dining room in addition to their task of the kitchen, since Rachel Weiss has moved.
- Makana, for a lovely hang out!
- Several of the women did seem to be a bit shocked about the changes, and worried that they had budgeted for upcoming class trips based on the old class schedule and payment plan.
- Get an orderly system in one of the fridges. The fridge that I am not in, apparently has some pretty unfair spacing per person, so I need to take a look at that and make sure everyone has fair space and that there are adequate spaces for the new women coming in.
- Sleep
- Sending off Rachel Brewster well
- Welcoming Mickey well
- Preparing our hearts to have a bunch of new women in the house!
Noah Sanders is my first mate! Super excited about this. He was going to be in Dixon with the other C10ers but decided to be first mate with me. It’s a sacrifrice for sure and I look forward to living with him.
On that know, being aware that Noah Sanders lives in this home and that some of the coming C11ers will be living in the Dixon, I plan on connecting the two houses with Noah Horsemen as many ways as we can. This way, Sanders and the incoming C11ers don’t feel separated from their groups.
Brayan has moved in! I love Brayan a ton. He has a heart of GOLD. He asked me to coffee a couple weeks ago just to ask questions. He has such an eye for community. Excited to have him in the home.
We settled on a solution for the TV: it’s being taken out of the home! Wee! I’m excited about this. I have been told that if it so happens that in three months we want a TV we may not be able to have one…oh nooooo! Ok im just kidding. I’m at peace with this resolution, I think it’ll be very good for the home to be operating off of a projector instead of a TV. I’ve witnessed C10 move into the Dixon and some of the people are already hooked onto playing video games on the TV on a regular basis, and though I know I’ll have this to some degree with C11, I do not want a TV to be the device they do it on.
- Brayan (heart of gold, as previously mentioned)
- Sam Mcginnis has been hosting an escatology study every Sunday night at the cabin. Hannah invited me to it, which I’m very thankful for so highfive to her, as the study is extremely well led and I’m learning a ton. Big high five to Sam for his incredible ability to lead a group in study and conversation, he’s gifted at teaching.
- Owen Harris has been leading Cabin very well. I’m proud of him for bringing his brothers together, I can tell he cares a lot about them and puts in the work.
- I’d say this is on the radar, not a redflag yet: Noah Sanders is definitely missing out by not living in the Dixon. The other C10 guys have told him that they wish he lived with them. You can tell he wishes that he lived with them. Ontop of this, I’m very aware that the C11 guys coming in will likely feel something similar. Definitely having my mind on this.
- Set fresh systems in place for the coming cohort.
- Prepare and clean the home for the incoming cohort.
- Get with Horsemen to plan ways to keep our cultures connected together.
A focus of prayer is the transitions of the students to their new homes and new responsibilities as they become a senior class to C11.
Another prayer focus is the arrival of C11; I have been praying for the students that aren’t quite here but will be.
Please also be praying for Sanders, the C10 guys, and the C11 guys that are going to be living in Dixon. I pray this wouldn’t be something that disconnects people, but rather that these people would act as ambassadors and that the homes would be more connected together because of it. That it would be a benefit to all parties rather than a hindrance.
God thank you for this day. Thank you for your love and faithfulness. Thank you that you care about me and for me, and that you love this community. God I bless C10 as they transition out of phase one and into phase two, and bless them with certainty on their practicums. Thank you for the incoming students. God I ask that the separation of students would bring a ton of life to the Dixon home and the Bluehouse home. I also ask that the cohorts living together would bring a ton of life to the home. In Jesus name, amen.
Noah Sanders is my first mate! Super excited about this. He was going to be in Dixon with the other C10ers but decided to be first mate with me. It’s a sacrifrice for sure and I look forward to living with him.
On that know, being aware that Noah Sanders lives in this home and that some of the coming C11ers will be living in the Dixon, I plan on connecting the two houses with Noah Horsemen as many ways as we can. This way, Sanders and the incoming C11ers don’t feel separated from their groups.
Brayan has moved in! I love Brayan a ton. He has a heart of GOLD. He asked me to coffee a couple weeks ago just to ask questions. He has such an eye for community. Excited to have him in the home.
We settled on a solution for the TV: it’s being taken out of the home! Wee! I’m excited about this. I have been told that if it so happens that in three months we want a TV we may not be able to have one…oh nooooo! Ok im just kidding. I’m at peace with this resolution, I think it’ll be very good for the home to be operating off of a projector instead of a TV. I’ve witnessed C10 move into the Dixon and some of the people are already hooked onto playing video games on the TV on a regular basis, and though I know I’ll have this to some degree with C11, I do not want a TV to be the device they do it on.
- Brayan (heart of gold, as previously mentioned)
- Sam Mcginnis has been hosting an escatology study every Sunday night at the cabin. Hannah invited me to it, which I’m very thankful for so highfive to her, as the study is extremely well led and I’m learning a ton. Big high five to Sam for his incredible ability to lead a group in study and conversation, he’s gifted at teaching.
- Owen Harris has been leading Cabin very well. I’m proud of him for bringing his brothers together, I can tell he cares a lot about them and puts in the work.
- I’d say this is on the radar, not a redflag yet: Noah Sanders is definitely missing out by not living in the Dixon. The other C10 guys have told him that they wish he lived with them. You can tell he wishes that he lived with them. Ontop of this, I’m very aware that the C11 guys coming in will likely feel something similar. Definitely having my mind on this.
- Set fresh systems in place for the coming cohort.
- Prepare and clean the home for the incoming cohort.
- Get with Horsemen to plan ways to keep our cultures connected together.
A focus of prayer is the transitions of the students to their new homes and new responsibilities as they become a senior class to C11.
Another prayer focus is the arrival of C11; I have been praying for the students that aren’t quite here but will be.
Please also be praying for Sanders, the C10 guys, and the C11 guys that are going to be living in Dixon. I pray this wouldn’t be something that disconnects people, but rather that these people would act as ambassadors and that the homes would be more connected together because of it. That it would be a benefit to all parties rather than a hindrance.
God thank you for this day. Thank you for your love and faithfulness. Thank you that you care about me and for me, and that you love this community. God I bless C10 as they transition out of phase one and into phase two, and bless them with certainty on their practicums. Thank you for the incoming students. God I ask that the separation of students would bring a ton of life to the Dixon home and the Bluehouse home. I also ask that the cohorts living together would bring a ton of life to the home. In Jesus name, amen.
First few days in Dixon! The guys moved in Thursday night and Friday after class. It's been super fun so far, and everyone is loving it here. Some people are still settling in, but we should be sorted soon. A few are really excited about the TV. It's been a focal point for some guys over the weekend.
- I want to shout out Lucas and Sanders for being a huge help with cleaning the Freedom House.
- The TV was on for most of yesterday afternoon and evening. People were gathered playing Smash Bros. I love seeing everyone together, but the amount of gaming was a little concerning. I'm going to lay out some ground rules surrounding gaming tomorrow at the house meeting.
- Make a space where the guys can be themselves and have fun with one another.
- Figure out chores and other ground rules to lay out for the guys.
I pray for brotherhood, deep connection, and for everyone to feel a sense of importance surrounding cleanliness.
It's been a pretty good week everyone enjoyed going through the virtue of hospitality. All of the guys are super excited for the changes coming with all team and cook teams that'll happen after break. Much unmatched was played over the weekend. And everyone seems to be getting along with their roommates all right.
- High five to Jjack and Jet for doing the dishes Saturday night
- Also a high five to Luke for being a beast rock climbing on Saturday
- Still dealing with some ants but we have to traps so hopefully they will all die
- HOUSE: a stronger atmosphere of communal prayer. Consistency in our cleanliness.
- ME: Finding fun and adventurous experiences to do as a house.
- JACK:Stronger individual connections in the house
That we would continue to have an increasingly positive attitude in the house and be a house of men with a hunger for the Lord. And be in communal pursuit of him.Peace amongst the house with the upcoming move.Also just prayers that Jacob would be able to secure a practicum.
Upcoming Events
Stay informed and plan ahead with our upcoming events. This section ensures our team knows what to look forward to and can prepare effectively, aligning our activities and efforts with the vibrant rhythm of our community life at Excel.
Break
Orientation Day
C11 Launch
Academy Field Trip
Career Fair
Academy Break Week
Black Mountain Home Fall Festival
Academy Field Trip Copy
College Thanksgiving Break
Luminary Fundraiser & Holly Jolly
Last Day of Academy Fall Classes
Morning Christmas Caroling & Afternoon AHA! Showcase
Christmas Party
College Winter Break
What's Happening at Excel
At Excel, every day is filled with learning, growth, and vibrant community interaction. Here, we share a glimpse of the exciting projects, incoming visitors, and achievements that continually shape our collective journey.
Deon Vanstaden
Deon Vanstaden
Deon Vanstaden
Deon Vanstaden
Leadership Virtues Curriculum
Florida Ave Cottage
Critical Thinking Module
Email Newsletter Launch
Creekside Lodge
Creative Arts Website
Centre Update
Women's Bible Study Spring Launch
Video Testimonies
Watch Where You Walk!
Trash Pickup Thursdays
Trail Life and American Heritage Girls
New Merch
Practicum Launch
Highlights and Blog Posts
Excel College Podcast
Arts and Activities Spring Semester Launch
Scripture Focus
"Brothers, when I came to you, I did not come with eloquent speech or human wisdom declaring the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Christ and Him crucified.
I came to you in weakness, with fear and much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
However, we do speak wisdom among those who are mature, not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it entered the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man within him? Even so, no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God Himself.
Now we have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.
For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ."
Newsletter Coming Soon!
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