In the fast-paced world of ministry, where programs, sermons, and events often take center stage, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills continues to value one of the most powerful and underestimated tools in pastoral work—visitation. The simple act of visiting a member, one by one, has remained central in his ministry philosophy. He teaches that you can preach to the crowd, but you must also care for the individual.
He has never outgrown visitation. Even while overseeing thousands of churches across the world, he still speaks about the importance of going house to house, meeting people where they are, and showing the love of Christ through personal presence. He knows that sermons are powerful—but a visit is unforgettable.
He reminds pastors that behind every face on Sunday morning is a story, a struggle, or a silent prayer. And sometimes, the most healing thing a shepherd can do is to show up.
Building the Church Through Personal Touch
Bishop Dag teaches that visitation is not just a courtesy—it is ministry. When a pastor visits someone in their home, their hospital bed, their shop, or their school, something spiritual happens. Trust is built. Hearts are opened. The sense of being loved deepens. People begin to realize that church is not just a place they go—it’s a family that cares.
This is how Bishop Dag has grown strong churches. Not just through dynamic preaching, but through deep connection. His leaders are trained to visit faithfully, regularly, and with a genuine heart. They go not as taskmasters, but as shepherds. They sit down, listen, pray, and guide.
He believes that no church can truly grow unless the people feel seen and valued. And visitation makes that possible. One by one, soul by soul, the church grows—not just in number, but in love.
Restoring the Forgotten Ministry of Shepherding
In many places today, visitation has been replaced by technology or delegated entirely. But Bishop Dag continues to emphasize that a shepherd must not distance himself from the flock. He teaches that there is a difference between knowing the congregation and knowing the individual sheep. And you can’t truly know them until you’ve walked into their world.
He has restored this lost art by modeling it himself. His stories are filled with testimonies of lives changed through a visit—moments when people felt forgotten, yet were remembered by their pastor. This restoration is part of why his churches remain connected and alive. They are not built on programs—they are built on people.
Following the Example of Christ
When Jesus walked on the earth, He went to homes. He dined with sinners. He visited grieving families. He sat with individuals, even when surrounded by crowds. Bishop Dag follows this example with humility and faithfulness.
He teaches that visitation is not about checking a box—it’s about carrying a burden. It’s about loving people enough to go out of your way, knock on a door, and say, “I see you. I’m here. And God has not forgotten you.”
Through his life and teaching, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills has reminded the Church that visiting one by one is not small—it is powerful. It is Christlike. And it is one of the most beautiful ways to shepherd God’s people.