Travel teaching is identified in the Writings and in the messages of the Universal House of Justice as indispensable for the growth and vigour of the Faith:

“The movement itself from place to place, when undertaken for the sake of God, hath always exerted, and can now exert, its influence in the world.”[note 1]

‘The Tablets of the Divine Plan’, described by Shoghi Effendi[note 2] and the Universal House of Justice[note 3] as “the Charter for the Propagation of the Faith throughout the World”,[note 4] repeatedly stress the importance of travel teaching.

The third of these Tablets (significantly addressing the Bahá’ís as the ‘Apostles of Bahá’u’lláh’) states a continuous flow of travel teachers is the (often forgotten) THIRD CONDITION[note 5] which must be met so that “confirmations will rush to [our] support” and “all the doors open.”[note 6]

“So significant and potent” did Hand of the Cause Hasan Balyuzi consider this particular Tablet that he described it in his book on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as a “soul-stirring summons to the heavenly armies of the Lord of Hosts, Bahá’u’lláh”[note 7] and quoted it in full.

One of the “last wishes of our departed ... Master”, wrote Shoghi Effendi to our community was that believers should “travel throughout all regions”,[note 8] and travel teaching is praised in almost every Ridván Message: “... the flow of travelling teachers have knit ever more closely the fabric of the Bahá’í community”[note 9], and has had a “profound effect on teaching work overall”[note 10]; can “stimulate interest”[note 11]; “be of tremendous assistance”[note 12]; and “will greatly consolidate the unity and brotherhood of the Bahá’í ... community”[note 13].

Today, the value of visiting other Bahá’ís and communities is as great as ever – linking us together, sharing news and encouragement, and fostering the spirit of Bahá’í fellowship. It is the circulation of the blood in the body of the Faith.

And it provides an opportunity to practice skills learned at Training Institutes and provides that excuse to hold a fireside for a visiting Bahá’í.

Travel teaching can be just supporting your neighbouring community, or it may be a short or an extensive tour arranged through the Travel Teaching Service and your Bahá’í Council, but whichever it is: “In the Books of old the station of them that have voyaged far and near in order to guide the servants of God hath been set forth and written down.”[note 1]