The growth of Christianity throughout history has been fueled by church planting—establishing new churches in cities, villages, and nations to spread the Gospel and disciple believers. From the early apostles to modern-day missionaries, church planting has been the primary way the Kingdom of God has expanded. Dag Heward-Mills has been one of the strongest advocates of church planting, leading thousands of churches to be established in over 90 countries worldwide.
His teachings emphasize that every Christian leader should focus on planting and multiplying churches, not just maintaining a single congregation. His commitment to this mission has made him one of the most influential church planters in modern Christianity.
The Biblical Mandate for Church Planting
Church planting is not just a good idea—it is a biblical command. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus instructed His disciples:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.”
Dag Heward-Mills teaches that this command cannot be fulfilled unless churches are planted in every region, making disciples and equipping believers to grow in their faith. He strongly believes that:
- Every believer must be part of a strong local church.
- The Gospel spreads faster when new churches are planted.
- The presence of a church transforms communities and establishes God’s kingdom in a location.
His emphasis on aggressive church planting has resulted in thousands of new churches being established, many in places where Christianity was previously weak or nonexistent.
Strategies for Successful Church Planting
Many people desire to plant churches but do not know how to start or sustain them. Dag Heward-Mills has provided clear, practical strategies for effective church planting, including:
- Training and sending missionaries to new regions.
- Raising leaders within existing churches to become church planters.
- Using small Bible study groups as a foundation for new church plants.
- Encouraging pastors to pioneer new churches rather than focusing only on one location.
His Anagkazo Bible and Ministry Training Center plays a major role in equipping church planters with biblical knowledge, leadership skills, and evangelism strategies.
The Long-Term Impact of Church Planting
The churches established under Dag Heward-Mills’ leadership have had a lasting impact on the communities they serve. His church planting model has:
- Led to mass conversions and spiritual revival in many areas.
- Created strong Christian communities where believers are discipled and nurtured.
- Raised a new generation of church leaders, pastors, and evangelists.
His success in church planting has become a model for other ministries worldwide, showing that multiplication is the key to lasting church growth.
Conclusion
Dag Heward-Mills has proven that church planting is one of the most effective ways to fulfill the Great Commission. His commitment to establishing churches has led to massive Gospel expansion, the training of new leaders, and the transformation of countless lives.
His teachings continue to inspire pastors, evangelists, and missionaries to step out in faith and plant churches, ensuring that the work of God continues to grow and expand for generations to come.