Church growth is one of the most discussed topics in modern Christianity. Many pastors and church leaders desire to see their congregations expand, but few understand the biblical principles and leadership strategies that lead to sustainable church growth. Dag Heward-Mills has built one of the largest and fastest-growing church networks in the world, proving that church expansion is not accidental—it is intentional.
His ability to multiply churches across different nations is rooted in clear principles of evangelism, discipleship, leadership training, and loyalty. His insights provide a blueprint for pastors and church leaders seeking to develop a thriving, impactful ministry.
A Strong Evangelistic Foundation
One of the key reasons Dag Heward-Mills’ churches continue to grow is the emphasis on evangelism. From the beginning of his ministry, he has taught that soul-winning must be the heartbeat of every church. His book “The Mega Church” lays out the importance of churches being outward-focused rather than inward-focused.
His large-scale Healing Jesus Campaigns are a direct application of this evangelistic passion, drawing thousands to Christ in different nations. By making soul-winning a priority, his churches continue to expand as more people come into the faith.
Church Planting as a Growth Strategy
While many pastors focus on increasing attendance at a single location, Dag Heward-Mills believes in multiplication through church planting. His strategy involves training pastors and sending them out to establish new congregations.
His approach to church growth includes:
- Developing leaders within the church.
- Encouraging church members to participate in evangelism.
- Planting new churches instead of just expanding one location.
By focusing on multiplication rather than centralization, his church network has grown into a global denomination with thousands of branches worldwide.
The Role of Discipleship in Church Growth
Dag Heward-Mills teaches that a church does not grow just by attracting people—it grows by discipling them. Many churches struggle with retention because they focus only on bringing people in rather than nurturing them into strong believers.
His discipleship strategy involves:
- Regular teaching on spiritual growth and commitment.
- Training new converts to become active church members.
- Encouraging church workers to take leadership roles.
By prioritizing discipleship, his churches remain strong, even as they grow numerically.
Maintaining Unity and Loyalty in a Growing Church
One of the biggest challenges in large churches is division and leadership conflicts. Many churches experience splits because leaders are not properly trained in loyalty and faithfulness.
Dag Heward-Mills addresses this issue through his Loyalty and Disloyalty series, which teaches:
- The importance of faithfulness in leadership.
- How to identify and deal with division early.
- The value of mentorship and submission in ministry.
Because of this teaching, his church network remains united and continues to expand globally.
Conclusion
Dag Heward-Mills’ church growth model proves that mega churches are built through evangelism, church planting, discipleship, and strong leadership. His methods can serve as a guideline for pastors and church leaders who desire to grow their churches effectively.
His message to churches worldwide is simple: win souls, train leaders, plant churches, and stay united in vision and purpose.