The divine origin of patria movement
Patria is a Greek word which means “family, Kindred or Lineage’’ which is derived from (Gen 2:24) Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. This truth is further emphasized in (Eph 3:15) from whom the whole family in Heaven and on earth derives its name. The Lord is letting us know that the administration of His Kingdom both in heaven and on earth is through a Family structure. There is family in heaven and there is family on earth and that is what makes the Kingdom of God.
A family (Patria) is defined as that divine structure through which the Lord administers His presence, Parentage, love, protection, care, provision, and procreation. In otherwards, it is a structure through which God reproduces Himself and raises His children into responsible sons.
Patria(family) is an ever-expanding and ever-multiplying entity, it is not static, there is movement as the members increase. The place where they started from can no longer contain them, therefore, there was a need for a new place, new home, new city, new country and new family members.
Patria movement is therefore, a family that is on a move (leaving, starting, reproducing, and nurturing/raising) and is capable of independent functioning yet deeply connected and related to the original family.
The functionality of a patria movement in Zoe Kingdom Ministries
a. Structural; The patria movement being structural means that a patria movement is more than a number in the Church, it has a structure and it has its functions. To call it a structural unit means all its elements are organized.
b. Independent functioning; The patria movement being capable of independent functioning lets us know that the patria movement can carry out its own activities as designated by the kind of life that it has i.e., its purpose.
c. Reproduction and Continuity: Families ensure the continuation of society through childbirth and nurturing the next generation. In our context, the family of God reproduces through evangelism, therefore, the PM can only ensure continuity through evangelism and soul-winning.
d. Discipleship/Soul Development: Through teaching spiritual lifestyle, norms, values, language, and behaviors that are essential for functioning in society. There are the Kingdom norms, values, language, and behaviors that the members of the PM have to adopt to function effectively as citizens of the Kingdom of God.
e. Transmission of Culture: Every family in the natural world belongs to a Kingdom with culture. Our Kingdom also has culture which needs to be passed on to citizens of the Kingdom and the Kingdom traditions, ensuring a sense of identity and belonging.
f. Emotional Support: PMs provide love, care, and security, helping members cope with challenges and build self-esteem through the ministry of the word of God and special Ministry of the Holy Spirit.
g. Economic Support: PMs often pool resources to meet the financial and material needs of all members (e.g., housing, food, education). The members are also taught financial stewardship so that they understand that through the blessing, they can rise economically.
h. Conflict Transformation : PMs provide a safe space to manage, resolve disputes and foster understanding, relationships among members. This is administered by mature members of the family using the word of God. Conflict resolution is done only and by the final authority in the Kingdom which is the revealed word of God.
PATRIA GATHERINGS
Every Wednesday, apart from the first Wednesday of the month, our PMs gather and listen to the teaching of our dear man of God that is customized to the PMs. And each member is expected to share their action points.
Every time we gather in our PMs, it is a reflection of the deep bond our brethren have and share in their relationship with Christ and with one another, characterized by love, unity, and mutual encouragement.
Every Last Wednesday of the month is a time to celebrate the working of God in our PMs, the achievements, milestones, testimonies among our members & PMs. And we dine together with good meals (food)
Our patria movements grow and multiply through fellowship and evangelism and we do so by recognizing community needs and addressing them. Demonstrating love and unity to attract others to the faith and intentional invitations
According to the scriptures "Acts 2:46, Luke 22:19-20, 1 cor 11:23-26" we encourage the practice of sharing bread in our PMs. Every time there is a gathering of the saints in the PM, there is the breaking of bread.
Every first Wednesday of the month, we gather to Pray, evaluate and plan together as a PM. But we also take time to share prayer requests and to stand together in prayer for each other
PATRIA MOVEMENT GATHERING LINE UP
