About Earth Connection Community Church: Our Mission, Beliefs, and Sacred Calling
Earth Connection Community Church (ECC) is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) religious organization dedicated to spiritual healing, renewal, and the restoration of humanity’s sacred relationship with the natural world. Through ceremonial use of ayahuasca—a sacred plant medicine rooted in Amazonian indigenous traditions—we create safe, reverent spaces for participants to experience profound spiritual growth and reconnection with the divine.
Founded on the conviction that modern disconnection from nature has created a spiritual crisis, ECC serves as a sanctuary for those called to remember their place in the web of creation. We are not a treatment center or therapy provider. We are a spiritual community guided by ancient wisdom, protected by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), and committed to honoring the traditions that have stewarded this medicine for generations.
Our Founding Story: A Call to Sacred Service
Earth Connection Community Church emerged from a simple but urgent recognition: many people in the modern world are suffering from a profound spiritual disconnection. Cut off from the rhythms of nature, isolated from authentic community, and separated from the sacred, countless individuals search for meaning without a map.
Our founders—ceremony facilitators who had themselves experienced the transformative power of ayahuasca in traditional settings—felt a deep calling to create a sanctuary where this ancient medicine could be offered safely, legally, and with the reverence it deserves. After years of apprenticeship with indigenous teachers from the Shipibo lineages of Peru, and extensive study of ceremonial protocols, they established ECC as a formal religious institution.
This wasn’t a business decision. It was a spiritual mandate. The medicine asked to be shared with those ready to receive it. And we answered that call with humility, structure, and unwavering commitment to safety and tradition.
Our Mission: Spiritual Healing Through Sacred Connection
The mission of Earth Connection Community Church is threefold:
Restore sacred relationship with the Earth. We believe that the natural world is not a resource to be exploited but a living, conscious expression of divine intelligence. Through ayahuasca ceremony, participants often experience direct communion with the consciousness of plants, animals, and ecosystems—remembering their place as relatives, not masters.
Facilitate genuine spiritual healing. Our understanding of healing is fundamentally spiritual, not medical. We support participants in healing their relationship with the divine, processing spiritual wounds, and discovering their sacred purpose. This work often brings profound emotional and psychological benefits, but those are byproducts of spiritual renewal, not clinical outcomes we claim to provide.
Honor indigenous wisdom traditions. Ayahuasca is not ours to own—it is a gift from the indigenous peoples of the Amazon who have safeguarded these practices for millennia. We operate as respectful stewards, not originators. Our ceremonies are informed by Shipibo icaros (sacred songs), traditional preparation protocols, and the ceremonial structure passed down through generations of curanderos.
You can read our complete theological framework in our Statement of Beliefs, which articulates our understanding of divine nature, sacramental practice, and spiritual community.
What We Believe: Our Spiritual Foundation
Earth Connection Community Church stands on clear theological ground:
Divine consciousness permeates all creation. We believe that the Earth itself is sacred, alive, and infused with divine presence. To connect with nature is to connect with God.
Plant medicines are sacraments. Ayahuasca is a holy sacrament that facilitates direct spiritual experience, much as other traditions use wine, peyote, or other sacred sacraments in religious ceremony.
Healing is relational and spiritual. True healing involves restoring right relationship—with the divine, with community, with the natural world, and with oneself.
Ceremony is sacred container. The structure, intention, songs, and presence of trained facilitators create a protected space where participants can safely encounter profound spiritual truths.
Integration extends the work. Ceremony is a beginning, not an ending. Ongoing spiritual counsel, reflection, and community support help participants honor their insights and embody them in daily life.
These beliefs inform every aspect of our work—from how we prepare the sacrament to how we screen and support participants throughout their journey.
Legal Standing: RFRA Protection and 501(c)(3) Status
Earth Connection Community Church operates under protections afforded by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), a federal law that prevents government interference with sincere religious practice unless there is a compelling state interest and no less restrictive means to achieve it.
While ayahuasca contains DMT, a federally controlled compound, RFRA creates legal space for bona fide religious organizations to use sacraments in worship that would otherwise be prohibited. This is the same legal framework that allowed the União do Vegetal (UDV) to secure its right to use ayahuasca sacramentally, as affirmed by the Supreme Court in Gonzales v. O Centro Espirita Beneficente Uniao do Vegetal (2006). Santo Daime churches later received similar protections through a subsequent federal court ruling in 2009.
ECC is also a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit religious organization, which reflects our legitimate status as a church, not a commercial enterprise. We are governed by a board, maintain transparent organizational structure, and operate exclusively for religious and educational purposes.
To understand more about how ayahuasca churches function within US law, read our article on ayahuasca church legal protections under RFRA.
While we operate under RFRA protections, the legal landscape for plant medicine churches continues to evolve. We maintain rigorous protocols, engage with legal counsel, and operate with full transparency about our religious practices.
Honoring Indigenous Lineage and Tradition
Ayahuasca does not belong to us. It belongs to the Shipibo, Quechua, Asháninka, and dozens of other indigenous Amazonian peoples who have cultivated relationship with this medicine for thousands of years. They are the true masters of this practice.
Earth Connection Community Church exists as a steward, not an originator. Our facilitators have studied extensively with indigenous teachers, learning not just ceremonial technique but also the cosmology, songs, and spiritual understanding that give ayahuasca ceremony its power and safety. We incorporate traditional Shipibo icaros—sacred healing songs—into our ceremonies, and we follow preparation protocols (including dietary guidelines) rooted in Amazonian tradition.
We also recognize that bringing this medicine into a North American context requires cultural humility. We do not claim to be shamans or curanderos—those are earned titles within specific indigenous lineages. We call ourselves facilitators and ceremony leaders, acknowledging that we are students of a living tradition that we did not create.
Part of honoring this lineage is supporting the indigenous communities who safeguard it. ECC contributes to organizations that protect indigenous land rights, preserve ceremonial knowledge, and ensure that the benefits of ayahuasca’s growing visibility reach the communities who have protected it for generations.
Our Community Values: How We Serve Participants
Everything we do at Earth Connection Community Church flows from core values:
Safety first, always. Every participant undergoes ministerial screening to ensure ayahuasca ceremony is appropriate for them. We assess physical health considerations, current medications, mental health history, and spiritual readiness. If ceremony poses risks for someone, we tell them honestly—even if it means turning away participants. Learn more about our safety protocols in Is Ayahuasca Safe? What You Need to Know Before Ceremony.
Reverence for the sacrament. Ayahuasca is not a recreational product or a quick fix. It is a powerful, sacred medicine that demands respect, intention, and proper preparation. We hold ceremony with the seriousness and sanctity it deserves.
Experienced, trained facilitators. Our spiritual leaders have years of personal experience with ayahuasca and have completed extensive training with indigenous teachers. They hold space with skill, compassion, and deep respect for the medicine. Meet Brett and Kano, our co-founders and ceremony facilitators, on their individual pages: About Brett and About Kano.
Integration support. Ceremony is just the beginning. We provide ongoing spiritual counsel, integration guidance, and community connection to help participants honor their experiences and translate insights into lived transformation. Read our guide to Ayahuasca Integration: How to Honor Your Ceremony.
Small, intentional groups. We keep ceremony groups small to ensure each participant receives adequate attention, support, and care throughout the experience.
Preparation guidance. We provide detailed preparation instructions covering diet, intention-setting, spiritual practices, and logistical details. See our How to Prepare for an Ayahuasca Ceremony: Complete Guide for a thorough overview.
What Makes ECC Different
Many people considering ayahuasca ceremony are navigating a confusing landscape—underground facilitators, retreat centers abroad, and a growing number of churches claiming RFRA protection. Here’s what sets Earth Connection Community Church apart:
Legal clarity. We operate as a legitimate 501(c)(3) religious organization with full transparency about our RFRA protections. We don’t operate in legal gray areas or ask participants to take on legal risk.
Safety infrastructure. We have ministerial screening protocols, trained facilitators present throughout ceremony, and emergency response plans in place. Safety is never sacrificed.
Authentic ceremonial structure. Our ceremonies follow traditional Amazonian protocols—including icaros, dietary preparation, and sacred space-setting—not modern workshop formats or therapeutic models.
No medical or therapeutic claims. We are clear about what we are and what we’re not. We’re a church offering sacred ceremony for spiritual growth, not a treatment center claiming to cure mental health conditions.
Indigenous accountability. We maintain ongoing relationships with our indigenous teachers, continue our own learning, and support the communities who have preserved this knowledge.
Community, not transactions. ECC is not a business extracting profit from sacred medicine. We are a religious community built on relationship, service, and spiritual calling.
Why Trust Earth Connection Community Church?
In a field where anyone can claim to be a facilitator or create a church overnight, trust is earned through transparency, experience, and consistent integrity.
You can trust ECC because:
Our facilitators have been serving participants for years with a track record of safe, transformative ceremonies
Our facilitators trained extensively with respected indigenous teachers in traditional settings
We maintain legal and organizational rigor, operating as a fully compliant 501(c)(3) with board governance
We tell the truth, even when it costs us—turning away participants when ceremony isn’t right for them, acknowledging the limits of what we can offer, and correcting misconceptions about ayahuasca
We honor the medicine and the traditions that have safeguarded it, never reducing it to a product or trend
We provide ongoing support, not one-off experiences—participants become part of a spiritual community
The Ceremony Experience at ECC
Curious about what actually happens during an ayahuasca ceremony? Our What Is an Ayahuasca Ceremony? A Complete Guide walks through the full experience, from preparation through integration.
Ceremonies at ECC are held in a dedicated sacred space designed to support deep inner work. Participants arrive prepared—physically, mentally, and spiritually—after completing dietary guidelines and intention-setting practices. Our facilitators guide the ceremony with traditional icaros, hold space for whatever arises, and provide support throughout the night.
We typically offer ceremonies as part of multi-day retreats, giving participants time to settle in, connect with the community, and integrate between ceremonies. You can learn more about our retreat structure on our About Our Ceremony Retreats page.
Ready to Learn More?
If you feel called to ayahuasca ceremony with Earth Connection Community Church, we invite you to explore further.
Learn about upcoming ceremonies. We hold retreats throughout the year in our sacred space. Each retreat is limited to a number of participants to ensure personalized attention and safety.
Understand if ceremony is right for you. Ayahuasca is not for everyone, and that’s okay. Take time to read our safety and preparation guides, and trust your intuition about timing and readiness.
Connect with our community. Many participants find value in attending an introductory event or connecting with others who have sat in ceremony. Consider joining our mailing list for updates, articles, and community announcements.
Meet our facilitators. Knowing who will hold space for your ceremony is essential. Visit the pages for Brett and Kano to learn about their backgrounds, training, and approach to facilitation.
Ayahuasca ceremony is a profound step on the spiritual path—one that deserves careful consideration, proper preparation, and a safe, sacred container. Whether you choose to sit with us or continue your search, we honor your journey and trust that the medicine will find those who are meant to receive it.
Welcome to Earth Connection Community Church. May your path be blessed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Earth Connection Community Church a legitimate religious organization?
Yes. ECC is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit religious organization operating under Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) protections, the same legal framework that allows other plant medicine churches like União do Vegetal to operate legally in the United States.
Do I need to be a member to attend ceremony?
No! Our doors are open to everyone. Whether you're simply curious, a spiritual seeker, a devoted member of another faith tradition, or someone feeling called to explore something deeper — you are welcome here. We believe that ceremony has a way of finding the people who need it, and we don't think it's our place to stand in the way of that. Come as you are.
What traditions do your ceremonies follow?
Our ceremonies are rooted in Shipibo and Quechua Amazonian traditions. We incorporate traditional icaros (healing songs), follow indigenous preparation protocols including dietary guidelines, and honor the ceremonial structure passed down through generations of curanderos. Our facilitators trained extensively with indigenous teachers in Peru.
Is ayahuasca therapy or medical treatment?
No. Ayahuasca ceremony at ECC is a religious sacrament for spiritual growth and healing—meaning restoration of relationship with the divine and natural world. We are not a medical facility, therapy center, or treatment provider. While many participants experience emotional and psychological benefits, these are understood as byproducts of spiritual renewal, not clinical outcomes.
How do you ensure safety during ceremony?
Safety is our highest priority. Every participant undergoes thorough ministerial screening covering health history, medications, and contraindications. Our trained facilitators remain present throughout ceremony, we maintain appropriate participant-to-facilitator ratios, and we have emergency protocols in place. We also require participants to complete preparation guidelines that enhance safety.
What happens after ceremony?
Integration is where the real work begins. ECC provides ongoing spiritual counsel, integration resources, and community support to help participants honor their ceremonial experiences and embody insights in daily life. Many participants return for additional ceremonies as part of their ongoing spiritual practice, and all remain part of our spiritual community.