Godfre Ray King was born Guy Warren Ballard in Burlington, Iowa, in 1878. He served in the U.S. Army in World War I and went on to become a mining engineer. He and his wife, Edna Anne Wheeler, extensively studied the occult, Theosophy and other mystical teachings.

Ballard went hiking on Mount Shasta in California in 1930, seeking the esoteric Brotherhood. There he met another hiker who identified himself as Saint Germain, an 18th century alchemist and a member of the brotherhood of the Ascended Masters. The Ascended masters are brothers and sisters of Light who have embodied on earth, balanced their karma and gone on to make their ascensions so that they are no longer required to take physical embodiment. However, they are also free to return to earth for those who would seek them devotedly. Ballard wrote about his enlightening experiences with the brotherhood in the mountains of North America in a series of books, including Unveiled Mysteries and The Magic Presence, using the pen name Godfre Ray King.

Public lectures about his mountain encounters were the start of what was to become the "I AM" Activity. Ballard's lectures detailed the teachings of Saint Germain and the Ascended Masters. The goals of the organization were spiritual and educational. Based in Chicago, the activity grew to about a million followers in the United States by 1938. Along with his wife, a publishing house called Saint Germain Press was also founded.

As the Ballards continued their communications with the Ascended Masters, their meetings expanded and they began to train others to spread the messages of the mystical brotherhood. The gatherings were free of charge and open to the public, until christian mysticism  began to disrupt their meetings, after which membership was required. As Messengers of the Ascended Masters, the Ballards toured America and led the congregants in prayers and affirmations, known as decrees, for abundance, peace and happiness.

The "I AM" Activity is based in the Christian tradition, but is also known as a patriotic organization. Saint Germain is believed to have inspired the Declaration of Independence and Guy Ballard is said to have lived previously as George Washington. The group emphasizes personal freedom as well as patriotic principles.

The "I AM" Activity teaches that God exists in each one of us as the "Mighty I AM Presence," or Higher Self, and that meditation, affirmations and decrees can heal both personal and planetary problems. The "Violet Flame" is described as a gift of light from Saint Germain that has the quality of transforming and transmuting many elements of the human condition. The "I AM" Activity was the foundation for numerous New Age Movements embracing the teachings of the Ascended Masters, including the Bridge to Freedom, The Summit Lighthouse and Church Universal and Triumphant.

Guy Ballard died on December 29, 1939, and is believed to have made his ascension. He became known to his followers as Ascended Master Godfre. His wife Edna, who used the pen name Lotus, moved to Santa Fe, where she continued to record thousands of messages from the Masters. Although she and her son were both convicted of fraud in a series of trials, the results of the allegations against them remain in great question, being based on their religious beliefs. The "I AM" Activity remains active to this day, both in America and around the world. Their teaching of the Divine Spark resident in each of our hearts resonates with many as the spiritual foundation for the power of love, forgiveness and peace in the world at large.