Many admire the reach of Bishop Dag Heward-Mills’ ministry—the thousands of churches, the countless books, the crusades, and the pastors trained across nations. But few see the sacrifice that has built it. Behind every visible success is a life that has been consistently laid down in obedience to God.
He has not just given sermons—he has given himself. He has not just taught principles—he has walked through valleys to live them out. His ministry is not the result of ambition, but of surrender. And through that surrender, God has trusted him with much.
Bishop Dag teaches that the ministry is not a career. It is a call to die daily. It is a call to sacrifice comfort, time, money, and even relationships for the sake of the gospel. His own life has followed that exact path.
The Cost of Obedience
When Bishop Dag left his medical career to enter full-time ministry, it wasn’t popular or easy. But it was necessary. He walked away from a future that others would have envied because he heard the call of God and chose to obey. That decision has shaped every step of his journey.
Obedience to God’s will often comes with a price. Bishop Dag has endured seasons of loneliness, financial strain, betrayal, misunderstanding, and intense spiritual warfare. Yet through it all, he has continued to obey. Not grudgingly, but joyfully—because he knows the One who called him is faithful.
He teaches that every minister must be willing to sacrifice. The anointing does not rest on convenience. It rests on consecration. Those who want the fruit must be willing to endure the fire. And those who want to lead must first learn to die to self.
Teaching the Church to Embrace the Cross
Bishop Dag does not only live sacrificially—he teaches others to do the same. He does not sugarcoat the cost of ministry. He tells it like it is. He reminds pastors that they are called to serve, not to be served. To pour out, not to store up. To go low, not to exalt themselves.
He trains leaders who understand that the work of God is built through labor, tears, and self-denial. He calls them to fast, to pray, to give, and to go. Not because it is easy—but because it is worth it.
His books like Take Up Your Cross and Many Are Called are filled with truth about sacrifice and calling. He writes not from theory, but from experience. And that experience continues to shape thousands of lives.
A Reward That Cannot Be Taken
Though the sacrifices have been many, Bishop Dag is quick to point out that the rewards are far greater. The souls that have been saved, the churches that have been built, and the leaders that have been raised are all part of the eternal reward that comes from a life poured out for God.
He teaches that the reward for sacrifice is not always seen on earth, but heaven keeps record. Every seed sown, every tear cried, every night spent in prayer—it all matters. And God is faithful to honor those who give Him everything.
Through his life, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills shows us that ministry without sacrifice is not real ministry. The impact we see today is not the fruit of convenience—it is the fruit of commitment. And it reminds us all that to follow Jesus fully, we must be willing to lay everything down.