The last command Jesus gave to His disciples was the Great Commission:
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19, KJV).
This was not a suggestion—it was a mandate for all believers to spread the Gospel to every corner of the world. Dag Heward-Mills has taken this command seriously, making church planting the core of his ministry strategy.
Instead of relying only on evangelistic events, he has ensured that churches are planted in every location where the Gospel is preached. This long-term approach has made him one of the most successful church planters in modern history, with thousands of churches established in multiple countries.
This article explores how Dag Heward-Mills uses church planting to fulfill the Great Commission, why this approach is effective, and how churches today can follow his model.
Church Planting as the Most Effective Evangelism Strategy
Many churches engage in short-term evangelism—holding crusades, revivals, and outreach programs—but without churches in place, many new believers do not grow in their faith. They often fall away because there is no structured discipleship program to nurture them.
Dag Heward-Mills understands that evangelism must lead to church planting, ensuring that:
- New believers have a church family where they can grow.
- The Gospel continues to spread through trained pastors and leaders.
- Communities are transformed through the presence of strong churches.
By establishing permanent churches in new areas, he ensures that revival is not temporary, but continuous and self-sustaining.
Expanding the Church into Different Nations
The Great Commission is about teaching all nations—not just one country or city. Dag Heward-Mills has ensured that his churches spread across multiple continents, fulfilling the call to reach every tribe and tongue.
His churches can be found in:
- Africa – Including Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and more.
- Europe – Countries like the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Germany.
- Asia – Places like India and the Philippines.
- The Americas – Including the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean.
By planting churches in diverse regions, his ministry is reaching people from different cultural backgrounds, ensuring that the Gospel is spread to every nation.
Training Leaders to Sustain Church Growth
Church planting is only effective if the churches remain strong. Dag Heward-Mills has developed a system for training leaders to sustain the churches that are planted.
His Bible schools and leadership programs ensure that every church has:
- Well-trained pastors who can disciple new believers.
- A strong leadership structure to ensure long-term stability.
- Continual growth, with trained workers ready to plant more churches.
By raising leaders, he ensures that church planting is not just a one-time effort, but an ongoing process.
How Church Planting Creates Discipleship Networks
The Great Commission is not just about preaching—it is about making disciples. Churches play a critical role in this because they provide:
- Consistent Bible teaching and discipleship programs.
- A community where believers can grow spiritually.
- Leadership training for future church planters.
Dag Heward-Mills’ approach to church planting ensures that discipleship is at the center of every new church, keeping the Great Commission alive and active.
Conclusion
Dag Heward-Mills’ focus on church planting is a powerful model for fulfilling the Great Commission. His strategy ensures that the Gospel spreads beyond single events, leading to the establishment of strong, disciple-making churches worldwide.
For any pastor or believer who desires to obey Jesus’ final command, the answer is simple: Evangelize, plant churches, and train leaders. This is how the Gospel reaches the ends of the earth.