In 1986, after many years of study and practice of the teachings of East and West, Michael Bernard Beckwith was gifted with the vision of a trans-denominational spiritual community whose doors would be open to all seekers in search of authentic spirituality, personal transformation, and selfless service to humankind. He founded the Agape International Spiritual Center upon his faith in that vision, which has now grown to become one of the nation's largest multicultural, multiracial spiritual movements of its type with a support base of 9,000 local members and 35,000 friends and affiliates from across the U.S. and around the globe.
Recently described in What Is Enlightenment? magazine as a "non-aligned transreligious progressive," Dr. Beckwith shares his powerful conviction of creating the Beloved Community through his participation on international panels with other peacemakers, policy-makers and spiritual leaders including the Dalai Lama of Tibet, Dr. Robert Mueller, Dr. T. Ariyarante of Sri Lanka, and Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mohandas K. Gandhi. He is a co-founder of the Association for Global New Thought, an organization dedicated to planetary healing and transformation.
Dr. Beckwith is the originator of the Life Visioning Process, which he teaches throughout the country along with meditation, scientific prayer, and the spiritual benefits of selfless service. He facilitates retreats, workshops and seminars. His books include:
- Inspirations of the Heart (nominated for a 2005 Nautilus Book of the Year Award),
- 40 Day Mind Fast Soul Feast,
- How to Change Your Life,
- A Manifesto of Peace: Light on the Path of an Emissary of Peace, and
- Living from the Overflow.
His humanitarian activities have attracted to him and Agape International accolades from many civic leaders and organizations, just a few of which include: 2001 Gandhi-King-Ikeda Award from Morehouse College; 2000 Thomas Kilgore Prophetic Witness Award from the Southern Christian Leadership; 1999 Induction into the Assembly of the Parliament of the World’s Religions; 1999 Humanitarian Award from the National Conference for Compassion and Justice, and a Doctorate in Religious Science from the United Church of Religious Science in 2003.
Together, Drs. Michael Beckwith and Rickie Byars Beckwith have written lyrics and music performed by the Agape International Choir in concert venues worldwide. Always in demand, their performances inspire peace and goodwill in the global community. They share their lives with their four adult children and six grandchildren.
Please visit www.Agapelive.com for more information on Michael Beckwith and Agape International Spiritual Center.
Click here to see the complete list of Teachers of Universal Spirituality Recognized by Universe Spirit.