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Excel Life Gap Year
Live in community. Grow in Christ. Step into purpose.
The Excel Life Gap Year is a 9-month long Christ-centered experience designed to help young adults discern their calling, grow as faithful community members, and cultivate a lifestyle of adventure.
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What is Gap Year?
Excel Gap Year is a 9-month long season of real-world work, Christian community, adventure, and practical and professional formation that builds confidence, clarity, and lifelong friendships. Students will live amongst like-minded peers while gaining clarity on what the Lord has for their lives, and confidence in living it out.
Calling
Discover and pursue your personal kingdom calling through hands on experience in the field of your choice.
Community
Live in intentional Christian community centered on shared life, biblical formation, and learning to live faithfully together.
Adventure
Learn to persevere through shared outdoor experiences that cultivate courage, curiosity, and resiliency.
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Throughout your time, you will...
The Excel Life Gap Year is built on the conviction that formation happens best through lived experience. Over nine months, students immerse themselves in an intentional Christian community while engaging in real, paid work within fields that interest them. Faith is practiced daily through shared rhythms, mentorship, and discipleship, while hands-on responsibility cultivates maturity, clarity, and confidence. Rather than pausing life, students step fully into it—learning to follow Christ, contribute meaningfully, and discern their calling through the habits and challenges of everyday adulthood.
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When?
Where?
Black Mountain, NC
The program is hosted by Excel Life, whose main campus is located in the small town of Black Mountain, NC. During their time here, students get to spend their free days exploring the mountains of Western North Carolina, as well as downtown Black Mountain.
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Who?
Young Adults
This program is for recent high-school graduates ages 18-21 years old. Gap year was designed for young adults searching for clarity in their calling and deeper Christian community—those asking the question of what's next for them.
Cost?
Affordable & Worthwhile
9 months for $1,100 a month, the cost covers housing, food, and all adventure expenses.
Students will earn more than the cost of the program, and many finish the year ahead—not behind—financially and personally.
*Travel to and from the program not included.
Testimonials
I believe we’re at the forefront of another reformation of how the church operates in the world. People are leaving traditional institutions, but at the same time, people who are massively passionate about Christ and want to follow Him are looking for Christ centered communities where people are loving one another and equipping each other for love and good deeds. Excel is really living this out. It’s a place where people have real jobs, do real life, and get real schooling - but all within the context of discipleship and community.
Ethan Wendle
Living in the Excel community has taught me what it looks like to live in the Kingdom of God on a practical level. Not everybody can go on a missions trip to another country, and not everybody needs to. Living here, I have seen the body of Christ come together to serve one another, love one another, and encourage one another to live like Christ in a small town neighborhood. Heaven meets earth in the thin space that is the Excel community.
Nicole Murray
To me, Excel is experiential. This is one of the most holistic initiatives I've ever been a part of. It’s not just about isolated programs. It’s about community, about sharing meals together, serving together, and learning to get in line with what God is saying together. Here you can’t get stuck in past dead ways because God is always encountering us new and afresh - and Excel is a place that makes space for that.
Rob Ames
Excel Life, Inc. is a 501(c)3 Privileged Christian Non-Profit Organization.
12 Florida Ave
Black Mountain, NC 28711
admin@excellife.org
