The Dawn-Breakers Challenge 2026

A week-long reading immersion facilitated by Chad Jones — joined this year by Dr. Nader Saiedi

Friday evening December 25, 2026 – Sunday morning January 3, 2027

Desert Rose Bahá'í Institute

Join us over Christmas break as we re-explore the "greatest drama of the world's spiritual history."

The Dawn-Breakers — Nabíl's Narrative — recounts the opening of a new Day: the Báb, His heroic disciples, and the women and men who gave everything for a truth they had only just glimpsed. It is a book about courage and recognition, about sacrifice and the fierce joy of being awake at the dawn of a new Revelation.

Nabíl's narrative is not merely a narrative; it is a book of meditation. It does not only teach. It actually inspires and incites to action. It quickens and stimulates our dormant energies and makes us soar on a higher plane.

— Shoghi Effendi, 8 June 1933

And that's why we call it "the challenge." A book that incites to action asks something of its readers — so we read it the way it was meant to be read: seriously, together, out loud, all the way through. Eight days, one fire-lit narrative, and the company of people willing to be changed by it.

Your Guides

Your Dawn-Breakers tour guide, Chad Jones, leads the journey through Nabíl's pages — and this year we're joined by our own national treasure, Dr. Nader Saiedi, whose decades immersed in the Writings of the Báb open the Dawn-Breakers to depths most readers never reach. Together we'll meditate on the profound forces unlocked by the Revelation of the Bab and the sacrifice of those immortal heroes — "the source of inspiration in all literary artistic pursuits."

The Week at a Glance

The program opens with a Christmas dinner banquet on Friday evening, December 25, and runs through Sunday morning, January 3. Days are built around the daytime track sessions and Dr. Saeidi's daily presentation, with meals and fellowship together and evenings for rest and community. A detailed daily schedule will be posted closer to the event.

Dec 25, Friday (arrival day)

6:30pmChristmas Dinner followed by introduction and orientation

Intensive Daily Schedule (Sat Dec 26 - Sat Jan 2)

8:00 – 9:00Breakfast

9:00 – 1:00Morning Session (break at 11:00)

1:00 – 2:30Lunch

2:30 – 3:15Dr. Saedi presents on a Tablet of the Báb

3:30 – 6:00Afternoon Session (break at 4:00)

6:00 – 7:00Dinner

7:30 – 8:30Open mic for music and drama

Jan 3, Sunday morning (departure day)

8:00 – 9:00Breakfast

9:00Final session with Q&A & farewell

Where

Desert Rose Bahá'í Institute, near Eloy, Arizona — south of Phoenix, north of Casa Grande.

1950 West William Sears Dr., Eloy AZ 85131

Registration

Your registration covers all sessions, the daily Saeidi presentation, all meals from the Christmas dinner banquet onward, and free dormitory lodging.

• Full Program (Adult)$480

• Full Program (Youth, under 18)$340

• Local / Commuter (sessions + daily presentation, no meals or lodging): $340

Dr. Saeidi's public talk (Jan 2) is open to the wider community as separate event — details to come.

Accommodations Options

• Free dormitory lodging is included with every Full Program registration — 20 beds each for men and women, first-come, first-served at checkout.

• A few on-campus apartments can be booked separately, first-come first-served: https://bit.ly/drbi-rentals — reserve early if you prefer not to sleep dormitory-style.

• RV boondocking is available on-site at no charge.

• If you prefer, there are very good hotels in nearby Casa Grande (15 min). You will have to arrange your own transportation.

Getting Here

Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), about an hour away. We encourage arriving participants to share an Uber or Lyft from the airport to Desert Rose.

A Few Notes

Children & youth are warmly welcome. Minors must be accompanied by a responsible parent or guardian who is also registered for and attending the program, and are expected to participate fully in all sessions alongside the adults.

Photography: Desert Rose photographs, films, and records portions of its programs for use on our website and promotional materials. By registering and attending, you acknowledge that you and your party may be photographed or recorded, and that there is no expectation of privacy from photography at this event.