Many pastors dream of having a large and thriving church, but the way they approach church growth often limits their expansion. Instead of focusing on building one massive congregation, Dag Heward-Mills has followed a biblical model of church multiplication—establishing multiple churches in different locations rather than centralizing growth in one place.
This multiplication strategy has made his ministry one of the largest and fastest-growing church movements in the world. Through his leadership, the United Denominations Originating from the Lighthouse Group of Churches (UD-OLGC) has expanded into thousands of branches in over 90 countries.
This article explores how Dag Heward-Mills’ multiplication model works, why it is more effective than centralization, and how other ministries can learn from this biblical approach to church growth.
The Biblical Principle of Multiplication
Church growth through multiplication is a New Testament strategy. In the Book of Acts, the early church did not focus on one mega congregation in Jerusalem—instead, the apostles planted churches in different cities and regions, allowing the Gospel to spread rapidly.
In Acts 13 and 14, Paul and Barnabas traveled from place to place, establishing churches in different communities. Instead of gathering one massive crowd in one city, they raised leaders and left them in charge of new congregations. This apostolic model ensured that Christianity spread quickly and effectively.
Dag Heward-Mills has followed this same pattern, training leaders and sending them out to plant churches, rather than keeping them in one location.
Why Multiplication is More Effective Than Centralization
Many churches aim to grow bigger in one location, believing that a large congregation equals success. However, this approach has limitations:
- It restricts growth—A single church building can only hold so many people.
- It limits outreach—People in distant communities may never get access to the church.
- It creates leadership stagnation—Fewer opportunities exist for new pastors to rise.
By focusing on multiplication rather than centralization, Dag Heward-Mills has ensured that:
- More churches are planted, reaching more people.
- Leaders are trained and given opportunities to pastor their own congregations.
- The church network keeps expanding without limitations.
This approach allows more souls to be saved, more communities to be transformed, and more leaders to rise up in ministry.
Training Leaders for Multiplication
To ensure that his multiplication model is successful, Dag Heward-Mills has focused on training and equipping pastors through:
- Bible schools like the Anagkazo Bible and Ministry Training Center.
- Leadership development programs and conferences.
- Mentorship and hands-on pastoral training.
By preparing a steady supply of trained pastors, he has been able to send them out to plant churches, fueling continuous growth.
The Impact of His Multiplication Strategy
Because of Dag Heward-Mills’ focus on multiplication, his church network has seen:
- Thousands of churches planted worldwide.
- Rapid expansion into new territories and nations.
- A strong and sustainable leadership structure that continues to produce more pastors.
Instead of growing one mega church, he has built a global movement, ensuring that the Gospel reaches far more people than a single building ever could.
Conclusion
Church growth through multiplication is the most effective biblical strategy for expanding God’s Kingdom. Dag Heward-Mills has proven that by training leaders and planting new churches, the Gospel spreads further, more people are saved, and the church continues to grow without limits.
For any pastor or ministry that desires long-term expansion, the key is clear: Do not just gather—multiply!