Facilitator Training

The Whole Life Leadership Academy offers a unique pathway for individuals committed to fostering personal and community growth through education and service. Facilitator training equips participants with the skills, knowledge, and spiritual insights needed to support and guide youth and young adults on their journey of development. Whether you aspire to serve as a Facilitator for the Young Adult Board of Directors, an Animator for the Junior Youth and Youth SWAT Team, or a Teacher of Children’s Classes, or engage in a combination of these roles, this program provides a comprehensive and supportive framework.

Facilitator Pathways

  • Facilitator for the Young Adult Board of Directors

    Lead and mentor young adults (ages 18–25) in their personal and professional development. Facilitate board meetings, support the use of the Ideal Life Roadmap, and guide participants as they balance service with self-leadership.

  • Animator for a Junior Youth and Youth SWAT Team

    Empower junior youth (ages 11–15) and youth (ages 12–18) to navigate challenges, develop moral identity, and contribute to their communities. Animators guide service projects, mentor junior youth, and foster spiritual and intellectual growth through the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program.

  • Teacher of Children’s Classes

    Teach moral and spiritual education to children, nurturing qualities like love, truthfulness, and justice while fostering critical thinking and creativity. Teachers use the Children’s Class Program curriculum to build strong character and prepare children to contribute positively to society.

Training and Support

Facilitators participate in a collaborative environment of learning and growth, with multiple spaces for ongoing training and support:

  • Monthly Support Meetings
    Meet with facilitators from the BE LIFE Institute to share experiences, exchange ideas, and gain encouragement for your service journey.

  • Weekly Nucleus Meetings
    Engage in a space for study, reflection, and consultation focused on deepening understanding, refining practices, and building bonds with other facilitators.

  • Occasional Retreats and Conferences
    Participate in immersive gatherings designed to inspire and energize facilitators, fostering clarity, connection, and collective vision.

The main sequence of courses anchors this training process, alongside a deep exploration of the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program materials. These materials are not only essential for empowering junior youth but also invaluable for youth and young adults, addressing universal themes of moral and intellectual development. This dual focus ensures that facilitators are equipped to guide junior youth effectively while enriching their understanding of principles that resonate across all age groups.

Facilitators also engage with the main sequence of courses, starting with foundational topics like Reflections on the Life of the Spirit (Book 1) and advancing to specialized training for animators and teachers through branch courses. This integrated study approach allows facilitators to draw insights and practices from both frameworks, enhancing their capacity to guide, mentor, and teach. With support from experienced tutors and a collaborative peer environment, facilitators build the skills, perspectives, and spiritual grounding necessary to lead with confidence and purpose.

A Unified System of Learning and Service

Facilitator training in the Academy is deeply rooted in the Training Institute model, a global educational framework inspired by the Bahá’í teachings. This model was established to build individual and community capacity for meaningful acts of service. Central to this system is the Ruhi Institute, which originated in Colombia and has since expanded worldwide. The Ruhi Institute’s courses are grounded in the Bahá’í writinags and designed to empower individuals and communities to foster both spiritual and material progress.

The main sequence of courses systematically develops capacities for service, leadership, and community building. These courses guide participants through essential topics such as spiritual reflection, moral leadership, teaching children, mentoring junior youth, and building vibrant, cohesive communities. While rooted in the Bahá’í teachings, the Training Institute’s programs are inclusive and accessible to people of all backgrounds, providing universal principles that inspire collective transformation.

This training blends structured study with practical application, enabling facilitators to walk alongside those they mentor. Reflecting a core principle of capacity building, this "walking together on a path of service" fosters confidence and growth by embracing challenges as opportunities for learning. Facilitators progress through increasingly complex responsibilities as they develop the skills and insights necessary to support others in their spiritual and moral development.

To learn more about the Training Institute and its role in the Academy, please visit the Education page on our website.

Walking Together on the Path of Service

Facilitator training is more than an educational program; it’s a commitment to a lifelong journey of service, leadership, and growth. By participating in this program, facilitators become part of a global movement dedicated to fostering spiritual, moral, and intellectual empowerment in individuals and communities.

Whether you are leading a Young Adult Board of Directors, animating a Junior Youth and Youth SWAT Team, or teaching a Children’s Class, your efforts as a facilitator contribute to the creation of vibrant, spiritually grounded communities where individuals of all ages can thrive.

Join us in this transformative journey to build capacity for meaningful service, create lasting connections, and inspire a generation of leaders dedicated to advancing the well-being of humanity.