Church growth and evangelism do not happen by accident. They require intentional effort, commitment, and a deep passion for soul-winning. One of the key principles that Dag Heward-Mills teaches and applies in his ministry is “Anagkazo”—a Greek word meaning to compel, forcefully persuade, or strongly urge people into the Kingdom of God.
This principle is taken from Luke 14:23, where Jesus says, “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel (Anagkazo) them to come in, that my house may be filled.” Dag Heward-Mills has built his entire ministry on this principle, using aggressive evangelism, strategic church planting, and determined discipleship to grow one of the largest church networks in the world.
The Meaning and Importance of Anagkazo
The word “Anagkazo” describes a forceful, unrelenting approach to evangelism and ministry. It means that believers must not be passive in their efforts to win souls but should instead actively persuade people to come to Christ. Dag Heward-Mills teaches that without this attitude, churches will remain stagnant, and millions of souls will be lost.
This principle teaches Christians to:
- Push past obstacles in evangelism and ministry.
- Use every available means to spread the Gospel.
- Be bold and unashamed in inviting people to salvation.
Anagkazo rejects fear, timidity, and laziness in ministry. It embraces a determined, aggressive approach to winning the lost.
Applying Anagkazo to Church Growth and Evangelism
Dag Heward-Mills has used Anagkazo to expand his church network across more than 90 countries. He trains pastors and leaders to apply this principle by:
- Going to new cities and planting churches instead of waiting for people to come.
- Organizing massive soul-winning campaigns through crusades and street evangelism.
- Persistently following up on new converts and ensuring they remain in the faith.
His Healing Jesus Campaign is a direct application of Anagkazo, as it takes the Gospel to cities, towns, and villages with determination and persistence. His church members are trained to continuously invite, persuade, and compel people to hear the Gospel, ensuring continuous growth in every congregation.
How Anagkazo Transforms Ministers and Leaders
Many churches remain small because leaders lack the drive to push for growth. Dag Heward-Mills teaches that every pastor must have an Anagkazo mindset—never being content with small numbers but always working to expand the Kingdom of God.
He believes that **pastors and leaders should:
- Be aggressive in evangelism, outreach, and follow-up.
- Never accept decline or stagnation in church growth.
- Train members to be soul-winners who actively invite people to Christ.**
This mindset has led to massive church growth, revival, and transformation in the ministries that have applied it.
Conclusion
Anagkazo is one of the most powerful principles in ministry, and Dag Heward-Mills has demonstrated how it can lead to supernatural growth and transformation. His teachings have revived churches, inspired soul-winners, and built one of the fastest-growing Christian movements in the world.
His legacy proves that when believers and ministers apply Anagkazo, they will see their churches grow, their ministries expand, and the Kingdom of God advance like never before.