In the teachings of Jesus, the instruction to go the second mile reveals a profound kingdom principle. Anyone can do what is expected. Anyone can fulfil a duty. But those who carry the spirit of Christ go beyond the minimum. They exceed the requirement. They serve with all their heart. Bishop Dag Heward-Mills has lived out this second-mile spirit for decades. It is woven into the way he serves, leads, and builds.
His ministry is not marked by convenience or bare-minimum obedience. It is marked by going further, staying longer, giving more, and doing what others are unwilling to do. That’s what makes his work so impactful. He never stops at average. He never rests in what’s acceptable. He goes further.
From preaching multiple services in a day, to travelling thousands of miles for crusades, to writing hundreds of books, to following up church members personally—he has shown what it means to go the second mile in ministry. And he has taught others to do the same.
Serving With a Willing Heart
The second mile is not about talent—it’s about the heart. It flows from love. Bishop Dag teaches that true ministry is not done out of obligation but out of devotion. The pastor who loves deeply will serve beyond duty. The missionary who cares for souls will stay in hard places longer than expected. The shepherd who is full of compassion will walk with people even when it is inconvenient.
He teaches that second-mile service is what separates great ministries from good ones. It is what builds churches that last. It is what produces fruit that remains. And it is what draws the presence of God into the work.
This attitude is cultivated through teaching, prayer, and example. Bishop Dag constantly trains his leaders to go beyond their job description. To make that extra call. To stay that extra hour. To push through that tiredness. Because that is where the anointing flows—not in the easy path, but in the extra step.
A Culture That Honors Sacrifice
Bishop Dag has built a ministry culture where sacrifice is honored and second-mile service is celebrated. From the lay pastors to the full-time missionaries, the expectation is not mediocrity—it is excellence. Not for the sake of performance, but for the sake of the Lord who deserves our very best.
He teaches that it is an honor to suffer for the gospel. That ministry is not meant to be comfortable. That greatness in the kingdom is measured by how far you are willing to go for Jesus and His people.
This culture has shaped leaders who are selfless, dedicated, and unstoppable. They do not need to be pushed. They serve from within. They go the second mile not because they have to, but because they want to.
The Reward of Going Further
There is a reward for those who go the second mile. It may not come immediately. It may not come in the form of recognition. But it comes. God sees. God rewards. And the fruit of such labor cannot be denied.
Bishop Dag Heward-Mills continues to reap the rewards of a life lived in the second mile. His influence, his longevity, his fruitfulness—they are not accidents. They are the result of decades of walking that extra distance with God.
Through his life, we are reminded that going the second mile is not about impressing men. It is about honoring God. And when we go further for Him, He takes us further than we ever imagined.