EXCEL is a self-administered spiritual retreat ministry started in the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. EXCEL was started in 1975 and there are approximately 20 teams in the United States, Canada, Mexico and South Africa. EXCEL is patterned after the Cursillo movement which began in 1949 in Spain. Hundreds of people attend EXCEL weekends each year.
EXCEL is an "Exercise in Christian Community Living". The EXCEL principles are shared during a retreat by a team of committed Christians who are employing these principles in their own lives. These principles have been known for thousands of years as the Christian Way, yet today's busy world sometimes makes Christina living seem very difficult or complex. Excel gets you back to the basics!
The Armadillo team was founded in 1983. The exercise taking place in November 2004 will be the 36th weekend hosted by the EXCEL of the Armadillo Team. Months of preparation time are required for each weekend. This includes monthly team meetings where prayer, study and action are utilized and discussed in depth. Group sharing and caring are developed as the team grows to know and trust each other.