The future of any church or ministry depends on its ability to train and empower the next generation of leaders. Many churches struggle because they fail to raise young people who are passionate about serving God. Instead, they rely heavily on older leaders, creating a leadership gap when those leaders retire or pass away.
Dag Heward-Mills has successfully built a multi-generational church movement by actively training and empowering young people for ministry. Through structured discipleship programs, Bible schools, and leadership training, he has ensured that thousands of young men and women have the opportunity to serve in pastoral work, missions, evangelism, and various areas of church leadership. His ability to identify, train, and release young leaders has been a key reason for the continuous expansion of his church network, the United Denominations Originating from the Lighthouse Group of Churches (UD-OLGC).
Creating Opportunities for Young Leaders
One of the biggest challenges young people face in ministry is a lack of opportunity. Many churches prefer to place leadership responsibilities in the hands of older, more experienced individuals, leaving young people feeling overlooked and unqualified.
Dag Heward-Mills has taken a different approach. He intentionally creates leadership opportunities for young people, allowing them to serve in pastoral roles, worship teams, missions, and evangelism departments. He believes that age should not be a barrier to ministry, and that with the right training and mentorship, young people can be effective leaders in the church.
By trusting young people with responsibility, he has developed a passionate and energetic generation of leaders who are fully committed to expanding God’s kingdom. Many of his pastors began their ministry journeys at a young age and have grown into strong, influential leaders over time.
Training Through the Anagkazo Bible and Ministry Training Center
Training is one of the most important foundations for preparing young people for ministry. Dag Heward-Mills has established the Anagkazo Bible and Ministry Training Center, a school dedicated to equipping young men and women for full-time ministry.
At Anagkazo, students receive theological education, practical ministry training, and mentorship from experienced leaders. They are taught how to preach, lead a church, evangelize, and manage church administration. The training is intensive, preparing young leaders to handle real-life challenges in ministry.
Many graduates of Anagkazo have gone on to plant churches, lead revival movements, and serve in international missions. This structured training ensures that young people are not just given leadership positions but are also properly equipped for success.
Encouraging a Culture of Faithfulness and Commitment
Many young people are excited about ministry but lack the discipline and commitment needed for long-term success. Dag Heward-Mills emphasizes faithfulness and loyalty as key qualities in young ministers. Through his teachings, he instills in young leaders the importance of staying committed to their calling, serving with humility, and remaining faithful to their church and mentors.
This focus on faithfulness has created a strong culture of stability within his church movement. Unlike many ministries that struggle with high turnover rates among young leaders, his churches have remained strong because the young pastors he trains stay loyal and dedicated to their mission.
The Long-Term Impact of Empowering Young People
By investing in young leaders, Dag Heward-Mills has secured the future of his ministry. The churches he has planted will not die out because they are filled with trained, energetic young leaders who will continue the work for generations.
His model of youth empowerment proves that when young people are given responsibility, training, and mentorship, they can become some of the most effective leaders in ministry. His work challenges other churches to see young people not as the church of tomorrow, but as the church of today.
Conclusion
Raising young leaders is not an option—it is a necessity for the survival and growth of the church. Dag Heward-Mills has successfully empowered thousands of young men and women to take up leadership roles in ministry, ensuring that his church movement continues to grow and impact the world.
His approach serves as an inspiration for pastors and church leaders everywhere: if you want your church to thrive for generations, invest in the next generation now.