The Philosophy

Disciple

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” -John 8:12 

Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed by the darkness of this world? We know that following Jesus is the foundation of experiencing the light, joy, peace, and fulfillment only God can provide for us. The world will take you, break you, and leave you forsaken. God is inviting you to be loved, formed by His grace, and sent out into the world. But we must never forget that our first step is to begin following Jesus. We will consistently discuss the best ways to overcome the obstacles that stand between us getting closer to God. Together we will become great followers. 

“And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life ill lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” -Mark 8:34-35

We also recognize that following Jesus isn’t just about happiness and good fortune. God is calling us to lovingly embrace our cross each and every day. We are to follow in the footsteps of Jesus right up to our own Calvary, where we will fully die to ourselves so that He can live through us. 

We want to inspire and challenge you to embrace the weight of your cross like never before. 

Ambassador 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespaasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.  We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” -2 Corinthians 5:17-20

 Every nation or kingdom has ambassadors who represent them to foreign nations. God’s kingdom has them too. We are those ambassadors. God’s work on earth is not finished, but it only continues so long as we are willing to cooperate with His grace in being His instruments. We are His representatives here in the world. Jesus commands us to change the world and not be changed by the world. Together we will learn how we can best fulfill our role as ambassadors, as leaders of the lost. 

We are to make disciples of all nations. This is our mission. 

Soldier 

“You then, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus”  2 Timothy 22:1-3

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness  in the heavenly places. “ Ephesians 6: 10-12

Too many people have forgotten that professing the faith is intentionally transitioning from a civilian to a soldier in the battle between good and evil. The world, the devil, and the flesh are hard at work against us in our mission to create disciples. Being your best as a follower of Jesus and leader of others requires grit, endurance, and serious courage. We want to help you become the person you were created to be. God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). The fight is on, so we might as well start to act like it. 

Learn more about each of the Seven Pillars of Excellence below.  

Mental

Your mind is the one in the driver’s seat of your life. It is the part of you that’s responsible for making choices. Your current life in all other four areas is the cumulative result of the choices you’ve made up to this point. We know that the mind gives up on things far before the body or spirit does. 

Mental excellence allows you to make great decisions based on truth and reason with the grit to carry out the subsequent action.

 Here are some of the main categories of mental excellence that we will seek to grow:

• Mental Toughness

• Mental Health

• Intellect

• Critical Thinking

• Philosophy

Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect. -Romans 12: 2 NABRE

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4: 6-7 NABRE

Emotional 

The quality of your life will be largely determined by the quality of your relationships. Nobody is able to have a strong relationship of any kind if they have no control or understanding of their emotions. Emotions are a part of life. They are the guiding sensors for us, like the dashboard of a car. They make give great insight to what is happening within us as well as with others, but they are not meant to dictate our lives.

Emotional excellence allows us to understand ourselves and others so that we can have the influence and interpersonal skills needed to build great friendships, marriages, families, and communities.

Here are some of the main categories of emotional excellence that we will seek to grow:

• Romantic relationships

• Friendship

• Emotional Intelligence

• Leadership

The patient are better than warriors, and those who rule their temper, better than the conqueror of a city. -Proverbs 16:32 NABRE

​I have made a pact with my tongue, not to speak when my heart is disturbed. - St. Francis de Sales

Physical 

The body has much to teach us about the soul. Warriors have known for centuries that when one strengthens the body, the mind and spirit are also made stronger. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, therefore you should treat it accordingly. Many people fail to develop the grit, perseverance, and discipline needed to live out their purpose because they fail to access the wisdom the body is willing to teach us through exercise and nutrition.

Physical excellence allows us to have the health necessary to go where the Lord wishes to send us and to have the necessary tools to successfully complete His mission for our lives.

Here are some main categories of physical excellence we will seek to grow:

• Fitness

• Diet

• Health

• Rest

I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.

- Romans 12:1 NABRE

​”Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.” - St. Catherine of Siena

Financial 

Being mature and responsible with our money is paramount to being good stewards. The Church on Earth does more good for others than any other organization on the planet, but none if it possible without funding. The love of money is a grave sin, but being disciplined in your spending, wise in your investing, and generous in your giving are signs of a mature Christian lifestyle. 

Financial excellence allows you to have the peace of mind that comes from good stewardship of the gifts and opportunities God has given you so that you can more fully participate in the good work of the Church.

 Here are some main categories of financial excellence we will seek to grow:

• Budgeting

• Investing

• Living generously

• Financial decisions

He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share in your master’s joy.’ 

- Matthew 25: 20-21 NABRE

​Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more. 

- Luke 12:48 NABRE

Spiritual

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 

 1 Timothy 4:8

Spiritual excellence is sainthood. It is consistently moving closer to God and removing the obstacles that stand between us and Him. We want to help paint a vision for what it looks like to pursue excellence in living your faith in the 21st century. There is so much we can learn and so much we can do. We can never reach perfection, but we must strive for it as God commanded us to do.

 Spiritual excellence is the reason for all the other categories. It is the pinnacle of life to know, love and serve God. Seeking excellence within the spiritual life is seeking God with all our heart, all our mind, and all our soul.

• Prayer

• Evangelization

• Apologetics

• Scripture

Bear the cross and do not make the cross bear you. –St. Philip Neri

Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were to abandon themselves unreservedly to Him and if they were to allow His grace to mold them accordingly. –St. Ignatius of Loyola

Social

• Catholic social teaching issues 

• Political issues 

• News/problems within the Church 

• Being a good citizen

In order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. - Romans 8:4

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” - John 15:1-17

Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. - John 14:17

Professional

• Leadership

• Personal growth

• Vocational discernment 

• Networking

You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. - Deuteronomy 8:18

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. - Colossians 3:23

“You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired servant shall not remain with you all night until the morning.” - Leviticus 19:13