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Sunday Omnibus Michael Bernard Beckwith
Founder & Spiritual Director Agape International Spiritual Center "Life & Career of Michael Bernard
Beckwith"
Video Streaming Broadcast: February 5, 2011 (Video Streaming Interview)
Michael Bernard Beckwith
Dr. Michael Beckwith’s life is a living testament
to building spiritual community. In the 1970’s he began an inward journey into the teachings of East and West, and
today teaches universal truth principles found in the New Thought-Ancient Wisdom tradition of spirituality. Gifted with
a vision of a trans-denominational spiritual community, in 1986 he founded the Agape International Spiritual Center upon
his faith in that original vision. In a personal letter to him Coretta Scott King wrote, "I greatly admire what you
are doing to bring about the Beloved Community, which is certainly what my dear husband worked for and ultimately gave his
life." Recently described in “What Is Enlightenment?” magazine as a "non-aligned trans-religious progressive,"
Dr. Beckwith shares his powerful conviction of creating the Beloved Community through his participation on international
panels with other peacemakers and spiritual leaders including Dr. T. Ariyarante of Sri Lanka, and Arun Gandhi, grandson
of Mohandas K. Gandhi. He is co-founder of the Association for Global 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”, “Forty Day Mind Fast Soul Feast”, and “A Manifesto
of Peace”. Dr. Beckwith’s achievement as a humanitarian and emissary of peace have been widely acclaimed. In
2003, his activities were enumerated when he was written into the Congressional Record of the 107th congress. He is the
recipient of numerous humanitarian awards, some of which include: The 2004 Africa Peace Award, Thomas Kilgore Prophetic
Witness Award, Howard Thurman Stained Glass Window Award by Morehouse College, a commissioned oil portrait for Morehouse’s
prestigious Hall of preachers, and the Humanitarian Award of the National Conference for Compassion and Justice. Thousands
gather weekly to receive inspiration from Dr. Beckwith at the Agape International Spiritual Center in Culver City, California.
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.
Achievements
in the Humanities
2010Established as a Chief through
the Etherean Mission in Accra Ghana, Africa
2010The Light of God Expressing in Society Award, Association of Unity Churches
2009Gamble Tree of
Life Award
2009BraveHeart Award for Inspiration
2009Visionary Spotlight Award, presented by Hollywood Note Foundation
2008The Maharishi Award
2007Model Citizen Award
2006Black Aids Institute Hero Award
2004 The Africa Achievement
Peace Award
2004The Kashi Humanitarian Award
2004Dr. Beckwith and Agape’s works were read into the 107th Congressional Record
2002California Legislature Assembly Award for
Meritorious Service to Humanity
2002World Festival of Sacred Music Local Hero Award
2000Induction into the Martin Luther King Board of Preachers at Morehouse College
2001Gandhi-King-Ikeda Award from Morehouse CollegePower of Attraction
Agape International Spiritual Center
The essence of Agape is best described by its founder, Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith: "When
I founded the Agape International Spiritual Center and community in 1986, we “visioned” it as a movement
that would take a stand for love, for peace, for being a beneficial presence on the planet. That’s why it was named
"Agape," which in Greek means unconditional love. Agape’s vision is fueled by the love of God, the One,
indefinable yet unmistakable Presence whose vehicle on earth is the human heart and soul. My aspiration is that every individual
who is touched by the vibration of Agape is inspired to cultivate a heart of love as wide as the world." Since
its doors opened in 1986, Agape’s active teaching and practice of the New Thought-Ancient Wisdom tradition of spirituality
has expanded into a trans-denominational movement and community of 9,000 local members and 1,000,000 friends worldwide.
Through Dr. Beckwith’s weekly services, Agape’s University of Transformational Studies and Leadership classes,
ministries and other outreach programs, the heart of Agape reaches deep into local and global communities teaching individuals
about the transforming, healing power of prayer, meditation, and selfless service.
Rickie Byars Beckwith Alle-Alleluia Music
Rickie Byars-Beckwith, a prolific composer, singer, performer,
and music director, is widely known as an intuitive channel of healing music. Rickie's unique talents have brought her acclaim
as a pioneer in spiritual music and have earned her an honorary doctorate of music and numerous awards. Raised in Charlotte,
North Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia, Rickie emerged early as a unique, multifaceted musical talent learning from choir directors
in the segregated school systems of the South. The radio music of the 60's and 70's—especially the sounds of Motown,
Memphis, and Liverpool—helped form the foundation of her style. Her rich beginnings in gospel and rhythm and blues
were augmented by her studies at Morris Brown College in Atlanta, where she first started composing songs. In New York,
she continued to mature as an artist, working as a lead singer with the Pharaoh Sanders Ensemble, Roland Hanna and the New
York Jazz Quartet, Howard Johnson, and many others. Billboard magazinelauded her professional recordings,
especially the originality of her musical style.
Journeying to California, Rickie continued to discover
her own voice while performing in many popular venues throughout the city of Los Angeles. In 1988, she began attending the
Agape International Spiritual Center, where the teachings of New Thought-Ancient Wisdom deepened and evolved her music into
a whole new realm. Recognizing Rickie's talents and expanding spiritual understanding, Dr. Michael Beckwith, founder and
spiritual director of Agape, asked her to form a choir for a special holiday presentation. This 30-voice ensemble grew into
the 200-plus voices of the Agape International Choir, which, under Rickie's inspired leadership, is the core of Agape's
music ministry. Together Drs. Michael and Rickie have written lyrics and music performed by the Agape Choir in concert venues
worldwide. Always in demand, their performances inspire peace and goodwill in the global community, using the universal
language of music. Their collaboration, known the world over as the “Sound of Agape,” heals the body, mind,
and heart.
Transcendance
Produced by Stephen Bray and John Potoker Executive Producers Michael Bernard Beckwith and Stephen Powers
