.svg)
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
.svg)
Camp Recruiting Updates
Past Summer Camps
2026 Summer Camps
Session #1
Session #2
Session #3
Session #4
Tactical Team Giving
May
Total Team Contributions
High Fives & Red Flags
- It's Laura's birthday!
- Austin for carrying a bunch of stuff with building projects while Brandon is out.
- Brandon & Nicole for the arrival of Haley!
- Tom for leading one of the restoration projects in Old Fort.
- Hannah for navigating one of the girls in her home really well.
- Juliette for going along with Makana to Charlotte for a photoshoot to hang out.
- Micah for finishing his Practicum hours on Sunday.
- Zach Pile for connecting with campers through pickleball.
- Sage has been awesome connecting with campers on the sidelines.
- Suz for putting together an ice cream night for the Creekside women who move out tomorrow.
- Juliette's presence in the home has been magnificent, wonderful, and lovely. She carries beauty, truth, and goodness really well.
- Owen takes over as House Captain of the Dixon tomorrow.
- Miss Jean for helping us all navigate how to coach and support people.
- Linda for everything she's doing with cooking and her willingness to be open to feedback.
- 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.
On Monday I got to teach the campers about servant leadership again. This is such a fun group! And two of my campers from last year were there! That evening within the home, Emily and I breakfast for dinner and it was a great success! I always have fun cooking with her :)
On Tuesday, Shannon spoke about budgeting, which was really fun! She definitely encouraged me to start budgeting again! We also said goodbye to Savannah, who moved out of the gray house on Wednesday. It was very bitter sweet! The entire house got together after all team for a game of "how well do you know Savannah" on kahoot! I made brownies and Cassadie Solis also joined and saved the day by bringing ice cream! Afterwards we prayed over Savannah and this next season of her life.
On Wednesday, Beka and Brighten made a phenomenal dinner for everyone! The dinner discussion was mostly wholesome (we somehow managed to drift into weird territory, but I was able to steer us out of those waters, haha)! For all team on Thursday, we played various games around the center. I always love nights like these!
Over the weekend, I got coffee with Sage. This has become a weekly occurrence for us and I honestly love it! It's really sweet because she reaches out to me the majority of the time. She's a great friend and I'm really excited for what the remainder of camps and practicum have in store for her! Saturday was so much fun with the Fourth of July festivities at college street! Talia and I rode together and hung out with Sage, Suz, and Rachel McNarry while there. We didn't stay for the fireworks, as we had early mornings coming up, but it was such a great evening!
- To the Dimitris family for hosting!
- To Sage, she's grown so much in maturity and I've so proud of her!
- To Charity, she had a weekend trip and reached out to me ahead of time about cleaning!
- To all of the girls for getting together and wishing Savannah a warm, loving farewell!
- To Savannah, for being such a sweet presence within the home!
- More of radar: While hanging out with Sage, she mentioned some slightly difficult friendship dynamics that she's been navigating. Nothing to be overly concerned about, but I advised her to pull this girl's coach in (Nicole Ellison) if things progress.
- Communication has been rough for me as of late, especially with the upcoming moves (Sav and Beka). I feel as though I'm constantly forgetting things, and when I do manage to communicate, my girls aren't really hearing me and things are constantly being left for me to take care of :'(
- GET THIS HOUSE CLEAN, haha! But in all seriousness, getting the house looking good on Thursday, giving Sav some things she forgot and meeting with Laura are my main goals in order to get the house ready for September :)
- Energy. I need it, haha!
- peace
- patience
- summer fun
- ease of transition for Beka and Sav!
This week has been one of refreshment.
Monday, Tom, Jezzy, & Isabella spontaneously joined us for Juliette’s last house dinner! The breakfast for dinner was a huge hit; people kept saying that they’d love more of that! It was so sweet having fun conversations and playing with Isabella with nice weather and Cass’ donated macaroons! That evening, I went on a walk with Anna, Gabbie, Norah, Nate J., and Josiah–a fun time with some less familiar people.
Tuesday, I had a really positive interview at Ascend Women’s Center, where I discussed with an employer about life, death, and spiritual warfare. This topic has continued throughout the week, with Shannon’s talk on finances calling to mind the teleological value of life, as well as Friday morning’s Bible pondering about God’s plan with Judas’ life. That night, White House gals rallied together to encourage, pray, and send off Juliette. It was so sweet to hear testimonies of how God has been moving in and through her. “She literally embodies the White House culture,” one of the gals said. I gave her the final encouragement with Psalm 16.
Wednesday evening, White House had dinner with Blue House. Normally, Gabbie would have been by herself for cook team, but today she was able to work with Micah & Ben. Overall, I think the night was really beneficial. The energy was very lighthearted, humorous, and intellectual. We talked about biology, random topics like pseudo-names for those around the table, and and what alternate house we’d prefer. I’m so thankful that we were able to eat together.
Thursday, Gabbie started her first day of work at Krista Anne’s. When I asked her about it on Independence Day, she raved about it! “It went by really fast and was satisfying work,” she said. I want to get together with her sometime this week to hear more about it!
- Anna, Norah, and Audge for communicating thoroughly with me and their cleaning teammates before visiting out of town this weekend
- Gabbie, Micah, and Ben for making really good Wednesday dinner
- Summer & Esther both for being willing to help out with other cook teams alongside their own
- Davis and Missy Norment for taking me to Independence Day pickleball
- Summer for being an engaging housemate. She’s started conversations whenever we meet in the house, asked good questions, and cleaned very thoroughly
- Summer & Gabbie for continuing to be faithful teammates of the house in doing the dishes
- The Lord, because He has opened doors and given gals jobs!
- The White House women for showing up at Juliette’s prayer & encouragement night!
- Juliette, for leaving well. She cleaned up and transported her belongings thoroughly, spent time with the women, and walked through this season with joy and thanksgiving
- Tom, for helping out with various White House tasks
- Just for awareness; I don’t think anyone else from White House went to the worship night, though a handful of gals were out of town
- I feel like a lot of the gals are predisposition to contest or hassle with others about little things–is it really necessary, and is it honoring?
- I’d like to collaborate with the house on house culture. I feel like the house is a group of individual agendas and could be grown toward teamwork, where people collaborate for the common good. That way, we could work towards interdependency across the board, rather than me having to ask of people or people doing things without communication.
- Meet with Gabbie sometime this week to catch up about work, life, and relationships
- Meet with Jean before break
- Deep clean my pantry, fridge, and freezer before deep clean
- Alter cleaning schedules so they don’t take too long
- Continue praying about house culture and for the hearts
Hi Abba,
Thank you so much for this week of challenge, navigation, and refreshment–things I’ve been feeling at White House. I’m thankful for the ways that You’ve loved us in patience, kindness, and selflessness. I pray that You ground me more in the fact that it’s not about me, that I can do the dishes to serve others, listen to the women around me with patience, and notice and impact my class as we’re journeying through our last phase. I pray for C8 as they’ve transitioned into their next season, for C9 and our practicums, and C10 and their growth. May You be imitated in all things. Amen.
- Monday was the last house dinner with Ryleigh, Jocelyn, and Sophia. I got some ice cream to celebrate them, and it was fun to chat with them and hear their plans.
- Tuesday All Team was by Shannon on finances, and I really appreciated that she came at it from an angle of the middle between two ditches, on both being a spender or a saver.
- Wednesday, Ellie got back from her trip to Jamaica. I ended up helping on cook team, because it was just Makana! So that was fun, to cook with her. Mickey was in the house visiting Sophia, and she helped us with cooking and clean up, too! McKenzie and Ellie also chipped in, so it was a big group effort.
- Thursday was a sports/games All Team! I was part of volleyball, and McKenzie and Riley Floyd were on my team. It was super fun and great exercise! Everyone seemed to really be enjoying themselves and even stayed late because they wanted to keep playing!
- Saturday was the Fourth of July, and a number of the women went to see Seamus' fire breathing show! Sounds like it was pretty epic! Rachael McNary, Makana, Ellie, and I were at the Dimitris's house, and that was lots of fun!
- Nick and Emily for hosting a great party!
- Ellie for having such a welcoming presence--it's immediately felt when she is in the house, hugging and chatting with the women!
- None
- Prepare for the deep clean on Thursday
- Break
- Deep clean
- sleep
- friendship
Overall, the guys are really coming to terms with what they want in this season of thier lives. I am encouraging them to press into this question deeply and make decisive change towards building upon their true identities.
- Students like Ben S, Matthew A, and Jackson S are encouraging to me. They are readily approaching hard things and challenge. Although I wish they spent more time together. That could be helpful to them all.
- Some students are struggling more with aligning themselves with who they’ve been called to be. With them all, it seems they avoid true intimacy and identity challenges. I hope to see more from them. But it can be difficult to split my attention and thoughts productively.
- I want to press into the stragglers this week with difficult conversations that surround thier overall habits and decisions. If they are to succeed here something has to give with some of thier identity and choices.
For encouraging and spiritual development among the brethren. May we be uplifting and willing. Fill us with the strength of the Holy Spirit Lord.
Overall, the guys are really coming to terms with what they want in this season of thier lives. I am encouraging them to press into this question deeply and make decisive change towards building upon their true identities.
- Students like Ben S, Matthew A, and Jackson S are encouraging to me. They are readily approaching hard things and challenge. Although I wish they spent more time together. That could be helpful to them all.
- Some students are struggling more with aligning themselves with who they’ve been called to be. With them all, it seems they avoid true intimacy and identity challenges. I hope to see more from them. But it can be difficult to split my attention and thoughts productively.
- I want to press into the stragglers this week with difficult conversations that surround thier overall habits and decisions. If they are to succeed here something has to give with some of thier identity and choices.
For encouraging and spiritual development among the brethren. May we be uplifting and willing. Fill us with the strength of the Holy Spirit Lord.
It was definitely a more solemn week with Ethan leaving as well as the surprise loss of Tanner. The house seems to be doing ok but definitely a bit blindsided by the sudden loss. Sam, Luke and Carden went out of town on the 4th of July. The 4th of July was awesome and a lot of fun. Me and Jack were in the fire breathing show with Sheamus.
- High five to Jack for expecting to be my first mate and going to the meeting on Friday 😎
- High five to Brayan for always being so fun to cook with for Monday cook team
- None
- HOUSE:
- a stronger atmosphere of communal prayer.
- Consistency in our cleanliness.
- As well as an attitude of excellence and positivity.
- ME:
- Forming a clear vision for what I want this house to be.
- 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. Heart healing with the loss of Ethan and Tanner.
The guys really enjoy each other's company. They're constantly having fun with each other, and I see them growing closer often. Micah and I took whoever was willing to twisting falls again, and it was a blast! Micah prepared a challenge for the guys, and they all killed it. Tons of fear was conquered.
- Sanders and Lucas for coming to Twisting Falls.
- Lucas for being a huge leader during the challenge. I heard multiple people say they couldn't have done it without him.
- Josiah has really been connecting with the guys. He's still hesitant when it comes to going out and doing group activities, but he's been opening up to it a bit.
- None
- Connect one-on-one more intentionally
- Try and figure out Ping Pong the Animation
I pray for rest over the house. Deep connection and strong brotherhood.
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.
Camp Session #4
Recruitment Weekend
Recruitment Weekend
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
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!
Excel Life, Inc. is a 501(c)3 Privileged Christian Non-Profit Organization.
12 Florida Ave
Black Mountain, NC 28711
admin@excellife.org
