In the eyes of the world, value is often placed on crowds, applause, and numbers. But in the heart of Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, one soul is never too small. He believes deeply in the worth of every individual. While his ministry has reached millions, he has never lost the heart of a shepherd who is willing to leave the ninety-nine to go after the one.
The strength of his ministry is not only found in crusades or conferences. It’s found in the quiet moments—visiting a member, praying for a sick believer, counseling someone in private, or following up on a new convert. These small, unseen actions are the heartbeat of true ministry. They are the places where lives are changed, not by crowds, but by care.
Bishop Dag teaches that if a pastor does not love individuals, he cannot be trusted with a congregation. A church is not a mass of people—it is a collection of souls. And each soul matters to God. That’s why he models and teaches personal shepherding as the foundation of effective ministry.
Ministry Beyond the Microphone
There is something powerful about knowing that your pastor knows your name, understands your struggles, and cares for your spiritual growth. Bishop Dag does not see ministry as something to be done only from a pulpit. He sees it as a life given to others. And he constantly reminds his pastors that the real work happens offstage.
He has always emphasized the importance of visitation, personal prayer, and follow-up. He believes that shepherds should smell like sheep—not because they stand above them, but because they walk among them. This closeness builds trust, discipleship, and lasting fruit.
His churches reflect this culture. Lay shepherds and pastors are trained to connect with their members personally. The system of care in place is not just organizational—it’s spiritual. It’s based on love, attention, and the desire to see each sheep grow strong.
Teaching Pastors to Know Their Flock
One of the key lessons Bishop Dag teaches is found in his book The Art of Shepherding. In it, he breaks down the role of the pastor as more than a preacher. A true shepherd knows the condition of his flock. He doesn’t only teach them—he leads them, protects them, and feeds them with wisdom and understanding.
He challenges pastors to know who is missing from church. To visit those who are sick. To pray over those who are weak. To celebrate with those who rejoice and to mourn with those who grieve. This is not a program—it is a lifestyle.
Bishop Dag warns that pastors who ignore the individual are building on a faulty foundation. Churches that are built without care eventually crumble. But those that are built through love, relationship, and personal attention will endure through every storm.
A Shepherd After God’s Own Heart
In the end, the model of shepherding that Bishop Dag follows is not from books or trends—it is from Christ. Jesus said, “I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” That is the model of ministry that Bishop Dag has followed. A model where the shepherd is deeply involved in the lives of the people.
Through his life and ministry, he has shown that true impact comes not only from reaching many, but from loving one. He reminds every minister that greatness in the Kingdom is not measured by how many know your name, but by how well you know the names of those God has entrusted to you.