New Religious Movements

  • Beggining

    Guy Ballard, who later becomes known as "Godfre Ray King," claims to have a mystical experience on Mount Shasta California, where he encounters an ascended master named "Saint Germain" who imparts spiritual teachings to him. This is the beggining.
  • Spark

    Guy Ballard begins publicly sharing the teachings he received from Saint Germain, which center around the idea of the "I AM Presence" – a divine spark within each individual that is connected to God and can be activated through meditation and affirmations.
  • First book published

    Guy Ballard publishes the book "Unveiled Mysteries," which recounts his mystical experiences on Mount Shasta and the teachings he received from Saint Germain. The book gains popularity and serves as a foundational text for the "I AM Activity" movement.
  • Non-profit organization

    Guy Ballard and his wife, Edna Ballard, formally establish the "I AM" religious movement as a non-profit organization called the Saint Germain Foundation, with headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. They begin conducting lectures, classes, and retreats to teach the "I AM" teachings to followers.
  • Leadership change

    Edna Ballard takes over leadership of the "I AM" movement after Guy Ballard's death. She continues to promote the teachings of the "I AM Presence" and expands the movement through the publication of books, magazines, and other materials.
  • Turning Point

    Edna Ballard passes away, and her son, Donald Ballard, takes over leadership of the "I AM" movement. He leads the organization until his death in 1978, continuing to spread the teachings of the "I AM Presence" and expanding the movement's reach through new centers and study groups.
  • Passing of Edna

    Edna Ballard passes away, and the leadership of the "I AM" Activity passes to a group of trustees.
  • From 1978 to the present

    The "I AM" movement continues to exist and operate worldwide, with various leaders and organizations associated with it. The teachings of the "I AM Presence" continue to be taught through books, lectures, classes, and online resources, and followers continue to practice meditation, affirmations, and other spiritual practices associated with the movement.
  • Revamp of Movement

    The "I AM" Activity undergoes a reorganization and rebranding, with the formation of the "Ascended Master Teaching Foundation" (AMTF) and the publication of new books and teachings based on the original "I AM" teachings.
  • Up until now

    The "I AM" Activity continues to have a presence through various websites, publications, and online communities, with followers who adhere to the teachings of Guy and Edna Ballard as well as the newer teachings from the AMTF