THE STORY OF EXCEL

EXCEL INTERNATIONAL started in the 1970s, when the Rev. Richard Mickley adapted Cursillo as a one time special retreat for the Los Angles MCC congregation. That first weekend was so popular that the group continued weekends in Christian Community Living.

Soon, people throughout UFMCC heard about EXCEL and traveled to California to attend one of these exercises. During 1980, the "Excel of the Redwoods" in the San Francisco area formed and conducted their first weekend with the assistance of the EXCEL of the City of Angels team. from LA. In that same year, "EXCEL in the Desert," Phoenix, Arizona was formed. The word had spread that this program of lay education and renewal was not only needed but would make a positive contribution to the life of a local congregation. The history of Cursillo in the early 1950s was repeated in EXCEL in the early 1980s.

 

renewing Christian life among the people of the church (the members of the Body of Christ), bringing new life, new vitality, and a new effectiveness to the congregations through members who attend a exercise weekend. EXCEL does not work directly on the problems of the church or society nor does it take on projects to solve problems or organize groups to do good works.

EXCEL builds up, strengthens, and encourages people to do all those things that makes the Church come alive and realize its full potential. This transforms the Church to the "living" Body of Christ, moving, alive, and in action. EXCEL offers people of the Church whose lives are sustained by prayer and study, a life which is kept conscious and growing by sharing with others who are similarly motivated.



PREPARING PEOPLE

EXCEL prepares and presents people to the Church. Because of the continuing growth they receive in the post-exercise activity, they are effective workers for Christian renewal in their respective congregations, on their committees, and in the organizations of which they are a part.

EXCEL has its effect through the people it forms, nurtures, and sustains.

EXCEL stimulates people to try to live their lives in 'Union with God' and to spread that life on a daily bases through their actions.

EXCEL attempts to offer to the Church Christians who are working on becoming saints and apostles. People who want to 'live in union with God' (Saints) and who share this life with others (Apostles). EXCEL returns people back to the Church who are renewed, who are being nurtured in their efforts to live a life in 'union with God' and who want to share the Good News with others.