International Peace Mission movement
| International Peace Mission movement | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Utopian/Social change church movement |
| Region | United States |
| Founder | Father Divine |
| Origin |
New York City |
| Separated from | House Church movement of Samuel Morris / Father Jehovia |
| Members | 19 as of 2015 |
The International Peace Mission movement is a religious movement started by Father Divine, an African American who claimed to be God. Its heyday was in the great depression of the 1930s.
The movement began in New York City. In 1942 the headquarters were relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the last few decades, enrollment has dwindled; as of 2015 there were a total of 19 members remaining, including Mother Divine herself, all of whom live together on the Woodmont estate near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There are others who attend the Mission's special events such as feasts and banquets, although they are not considered full-time church members.
The teachings of the movement are based on the following principles:
The International Peace Mission Movement was led by Father Divine up to his death in 1965. Father Divine's widow Mother Divine then succeeded her late husband and led the Movement until her death in 2017.
There are three "auxiliaries" in the Peace Mission movement. The Rosebuds, for girls and young women. The Lily-buds for older, mature women and the Crusaders for males of all ages. Each auxiliary has specific duties, creeds and uniforms.
There were two publications of the International Peace Mission Movement: The Spoken Word (1934–1937) and the New Day (1936–1989). Both were available to members and the general public. These publications contained articles on issues of the day as well as articles on world and local events.
The services consist of singing Peace Mission hymns and songs from popular culture. The singing is followed by the playing of taped sermons by past or present leaders. Talks by visiting speakers, if present, follow. Readings of the King James Bible and/or a Peace Mission publication are conducted. Services conclude with member testimonials about the power of Father Divine.
The 'Holy Communion Service' is the signature ritual that symbolizes the Peace Mission. It symbolized the provision of food to those who could not afford it during the Great Depression. The origins of the 'holy banquet' are in the communal home meals served to Father Divine's followers before 1932. By the mid-1930s these communal meals had become well-attended banquets, feeding thousands of people. Often Father Divine would give impromptu speeches during the meal.
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