Evangelism is the heartbeat of the church. Without it, churches become stagnant, inward-focused, and eventually decline. Many ministries today emphasize teaching, worship, and social programs while neglecting the central mission of soul-winning. Dag Heward-Mills, however, has built his entire ministry on evangelism, making it the foundation of everything he does.
From his large-scale Healing Jesus Campaigns to his training of pastors and lay members in soul-winning, he has made evangelism a non-negotiable priority. His commitment to fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) has led to millions of people giving their lives to Christ across multiple continents. His focus on evangelism is not just about numbers but about transforming lives and ensuring that the Gospel reaches as many people as possible.
The Healing Jesus Campaign: Large-Scale Evangelism in Action
One of the most remarkable aspects of Dag Heward-Mills’ evangelistic efforts is the Healing Jesus Campaign, an initiative that has taken the Gospel to towns, cities, and villages across Africa and beyond. These massive outdoor crusades attract thousands, sometimes tens of thousands, of people hungry to hear the message of Christ.
During these crusades, the Gospel is preached with simplicity and power, and thousands respond by giving their lives to Jesus. The campaign is also known for the demonstration of God’s healing power, as many who attend experience miraculous healings, deliverance, and breakthroughs. By combining preaching with the supernatural move of God, he has made evangelism both effective and impactful.
Unlike many evangelistic efforts that focus only on major cities, the Healing Jesus Campaign intentionally targets smaller towns and villages, ensuring that the Gospel reaches places often neglected by other ministries. His willingness to go where others will not has resulted in entire communities being transformed through the message of Christ.
Training Pastors and Church Members in Soul-Winning
Evangelism is not only carried out by the church leadership but is expected of every believer. Dag Heward-Mills teaches that every Christian should be a soul-winner. He has written extensively on this topic in books such as “Tell Them” and “The Art of Soul-Winning,” which provide practical guidance on how to evangelize effectively.
His church network, the United Denominations Originating from the Lighthouse Group of Churches (UD-OLGC), operates with a culture of constant evangelism. Members are trained in personal evangelism, street witnessing, and outreach programs. Local churches under his ministry regularly organize soul-winning drives, ensuring that evangelism is not a one-time event but a continuous lifestyle.
His teachings emphasize that evangelism is not just the work of pastors or special evangelists but of every believer who has received salvation. Through structured discipleship and mentoring, he has raised a generation of Christians who actively share the Gospel wherever they go.
The Link Between Evangelism and Church Growth
Many churches struggle to grow because they rely solely on programs and internal church activities rather than actively winning souls. Dag Heward-Mills has demonstrated that the fastest way to grow a church is through consistent evangelism.
Churches that engage in evangelism see:
- A steady flow of new believers entering the church.
- Increased spiritual passion among members.
- Revival and a fresh move of God in their communities.
Instead of waiting for people to come to church, Dag Heward-Mills’ strategy is to take the church to the people through evangelism. This outward focus has been key to the rapid growth of his church movement worldwide.
Conclusion
Evangelism is the lifeline of every thriving church, and Dag Heward-Mills has made it a central pillar of his ministry. Through mass crusades, personal evangelism training, and a strong emphasis on soul-winning, he has ensured that millions have encountered the saving power of Jesus Christ.His life’s work is a challenge to every believer and church leader: if we truly want to see the Kingdom of God expand, we must return to the biblical model of active evangelism. The future of the church depends on it.