Ministry is hard work. It demands energy, focus, sacrifice, and endurance. But Bishop Dag Heward-Mills has shown that it is also a joy. He serves the Lord with gladness. Not because the work is easy, but because the purpose is eternal.
He has taught, lived, and demonstrated that there is no greater privilege than to serve Jesus. Even when it’s hard, even when it’s costly, even when there’s no applause—he keeps going with joy. That joy is not surface-level. It’s rooted in knowing that his labor is not in vain.
Whether he’s preaching to thousands or sitting quietly with one leader, he does it with the same spirit—gladness. Because he understands that ministry is not a burden—it is worship. It is an offering. And it is one that he presents daily, not grudgingly, but willingly.
The Grit to Keep Going
Joy is one side of the coin. Grit is the other. Bishop Dag has endured the challenges of ministry with unwavering determination. He has walked through betrayal, endured criticism, faced financial strain, and carried heavy burdens—but he has not stopped.
He teaches that if you want to last in ministry, you must develop grit. You must press on when it’s tough, stand firm when others fall away, and keep your eyes on Jesus when everything around you is shaking. Ministry is not for the faint-hearted. It is for those who are prepared to suffer and still sing.
Through his life, he has taught others to keep going when tired, to keep building when discouraged, and to keep trusting when answers are delayed. His resilience has inspired many to dig deeper, pray longer, and love harder.
Leading With Strength and Joy
Bishop Dag does not only model this combination of gladness and grit—he teaches it. He raises leaders who are not just enthusiastic, but enduring. He trains pastors to smile in the storm, to stay sweet when offended, and to keep working with the right heart.
He often says that it is not enough to work for God—you must work with the right spirit. Ministry done without joy becomes dry and religious. But when you serve with gladness, you reflect the heart of Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him.
His churches are filled with people who have caught this spirit. They serve with smiles. They labor with love. They press through hardship with hope. That’s the culture he has built—not just of duty, but of delight.
Giving Everything With a Joyful Heart
Bishop Dag Heward-Mills has given his life to the gospel—not out of pressure, but out of joy. He has given his time, his money, his strength, and his years. And he has done it with gladness.
That is why his ministry continues to bear fruit. It is not just hard work—it is joyful work. It is not just sweat—it is worship. He reminds all who follow him that ministry is not something to endure—it is something to enjoy.
Through his life and teaching, we learn that true ministry is a marriage of joy and endurance. Gladness and grit. And through that powerful blend, Bishop Dag continues to build what pleases the Lord.