What is Iowaska Church of Healing?
Iowaska Church of Healing is built upon a foundation of spiritual integrity, experienced leadership, and an unwavering commitment to providing safe, legally protected access to sacred ayahuasca ceremony in the United States.
After more than seven years of legal and spiritual perseverance, our Church has secured federal religious exemption from the DEA under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), along with registrations from the Iowa Board of Pharmacy to import and manufacture ayahuasca. As one of only a handful of churches in the nation to achieve this level of federal authorization, we are establishing a carefully regulated sanctuary for sacred ceremony, spiritual awakening, and lasting transformation. Our application for 501(c)(3) public charity recognition remains in process.
At the heart of our Church is BaBa DaDo, our founder and spiritual leader. A survivor of war, master healer, and shaman with decades of spiritual practice, he brings a depth of lived experience and spiritual wisdom to the work of healing. His journey has helped shape our commitment to those carrying the invisible wounds of war.
That commitment is expressed through Spirit of Valor, our veteran-centered initiative dedicated to serving veterans and their families. Our vision is to provide a spiritually grounded sanctuary where those who have served can explore profound healing and transformation without traveling outside the United States.
While our Church welcomes people from all walks of life, our mission reaches beyond Ayahuasca ceremony itself. Through spiritual teachings, preparation, integration, and ongoing community, we seek to help individuals carry the wisdom of their experiences into everyday life.
Our distinction lies not only in the legal path we have established, but in the depth of our spiritual mission and our commitment to serving others.
How does Ayahuasca work?
People turn to Ayahuasca for many reasons. From physical healing to mental health enhancement, increased awareness, spiritual awakening and more. The reasons and the ways in which the medicine works are as unique as the ceremony participant themselves. You can read more about the modes and methods of Ayahuasca healing here.
Why is Ayahuasca used in spitual ceremony?
For thousands of years, Ayahuasca has been honored in Indigenous Amazonian traditions as a sacred plant medicine used to support spiritual healing, insight, and a deeper connection with life. Passed through generations of ceremonial practice, it has long been regarded not simply as a substance, but as a spiritual teacher that invites individuals to explore the deeper nature of themselves and their existence.
At Iowaska Church of Healing, Ayahuasca is honored as a sacred sacrament within our spiritual practice. Under the experienced and responsible guidance, ceremony provides an opportunity for profound introspection, emotional release, spiritual awakening, and reconnection with the divine within.
We approach this powerful sacrament with deep reverence, responsibility, and respect. Participation begins well before the ceremony itself, with a careful screening and preparation process designed to assess individual suitability, identify potential medical and psychological concerns, and help participants understand the experience ahead. Not everyone is an appropriate candidate for Ayahuasca, and safety remains central to our approach.
Our ceremonies are conducted within our federally authorized religious framework and applicable Iowa regulatory requirements, with established protocols and responsible, reputable experienced spiritual guidance. Equally important is the work that follows. Through integration, continued reflection, and community support, we help participants explore how the insights gained during ceremony can become meaningful changes in their everyday lives.
For us, Ayahuasca is not the destination. It is one sacred part of a much larger journey toward healing, self-awareness, and spiritual transformation.
What is the meaning behind the “Iowaksa” name?
IOWASKA is both a sacred symbol and an acronym — Inner Oasis, Wisdom, Awakening, Sacred Knowledge, and Advancements. It reflects our mission to guide souls inward, toward transformation, truth, and healing.
What kind of church is Iowaska Church of Healing?
Iowaska Church of Healing is a non-traditional spiritual organization rooted in universal truth rather than any single doctrine or religion. We are organized as a church to embrace, support, and enlighten all people — regardless of religious background, culture, location, or perceived societal status. Our purpose is to create a sanctuary where every soul can seek healing, awakening, and deeper connection with the Divine.
We recognize that the world’s great religions are like branches of the same sacred tree — each reaching toward truth in their own way. Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Indigenous traditions, and countless other paths all carry wisdom. Iowaska Church of Healing stands at the trunk of that tree, drawing nourishment from the roots of ancient knowledge and spiritual interconnectedness. Our work honors the essence beneath all traditions — the universal presence of God, Spirit, Source, or the Divine by any name.
We do not seek to replace anyone’s faith, but to help individuals deepen their relationship with the Divine within their own tradition — whether that be Christ, Creator, the Universe, Mother Nature, or the still, sacred voice within.
Our ceremonies, teachings, and practices guide people toward inner truth, healing, and remembrance of who they are at the soul level. For members of multiple faiths, our work becomes a complement — not a contradiction — to their existing belief. We honor all paths, all scriptures, and all sincere seekers of light.
At our core, we believe:
There is one Source. Many paths. One human family.
We welcome all.
We honor all.
We are all ONE.
Why did you pick Iowa as a location?
In many ways, Iowa called to us as much as we chose it. There is something deeply meaningful about establishing Iowaska Church of Healing in the heartland of America, a place rooted in tradition, grounded in community, and open to the possibilities of innovation and change. Even the name Iowa holds a special spiritual resonance for our Church, reflecting a connection between this land and the sacred medicine of ayahuasca.
Iowa offers a unique meeting place between ancient wisdom and new possibilities. Its peaceful landscapes, rich agricultural heritage, and strong sense of community provide a grounding environment for spiritual reflection, sacred ceremony, and personal transformation. It is a place where we believe meaningful healing can take root and grow.
Just as importantly, Iowa has a strong tradition of honoring and supporting those who have served. Its network of veterans, community organizations, and service initiatives offers meaningful opportunities for collaboration as we develop Spirit of Valor, our veteran-centered healing initiative. Located in the center of the countr – The Heartland – Iowa also makes it possible for individuals and families from across the United States to access sacred ceremony and spiritual support without traveling internationally.
We believe there is profound symbolism in beginning this work in the heart of America. The heart gives life to the entire body, sending nourishment through every artery and vein. When healing begins at the heart, its effects can reach far beyond where it started. Our hope is that the healing cultivated here in Iowa will ripple outward, touching individuals, families, communities, and lives across the nation.
How do I sign up for an Ayahuasca ceremony?
Iowaska Church of Healing is preparing to welcome participants to Ayahuasca ceremony with our first public offerings anticipated in spring 2027.
Following more than seven years of legal perseverance, our Church has secured federal DEA religious exemption and Iowa Board of Pharmacy registrations for the sacramental use of Ayahuasca. We are now focused on establishing our ceremonial space, completing operational preparations, and developing the processes necessary to welcome participants safely and responsibly.
Ceremony registration is not yet open. When opportunities become available, we will share announcements and enrollment information with our Church members and community through email and Patreon.
We encourage anyone interested in future ceremonies to become part of our Patreon community, where we share spiritual teachings, preparation guidance, Church updates, and opportunities for deeper connection.
How can I get involved with Iowaska Church of Healing outside of Ayahuasca ceremony?
Our Church is much more than ceremony. We are building a spiritual community centered on awakening, personal transformation, meaningful connection, and bringing spiritual wisdom into everyday life.
One of the best ways to become involved is through our Community Circle on Patreon where you can connect with BaBa DaDo and the healing team and we share teachings, spiritual reflections, videos, integration discussions, and updates on the Church’s growing mission. Members can engage with our work and one another regardless of whether they have participated in ceremony.
We also welcome those who wish to contribute to our mission through volunteer service, professional expertise, meaningful partnerships, or financial support. If you have a particular skill or resource you would like to offer, we invite you to contact us directly.
You can also join our email list to receive announcements about future gatherings, programs, and opportunities to participate.
Does Iowaska Church of Healing have a location I can visit?
Iowaska Church of Healing is based in Iowa, where we are actively preparing for the opening of our ceremonial sanctuary and future public offerings.
While we have received our federal and state authorizations, our ceremonial location is not yet open for public visits or drop-in gatherings. We are taking the necessary steps to establish a space that reflects both the sacred nature of our work and the safety and regulatory standards under which we operate.
In the meantime, we invite you to connect with our community through Patreon and our email newsletter. As our location and upcoming gatherings become available to the public, we will share those details through our official Church communications.