In many places today, being part of a church simply means attending services. But in the eyes of Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, being in the church means something far deeper. It means following Christ, learning His ways, submitting to spiritual guidance, and growing through intentional discipleship. This is the heart of his pastoral model—one that doesn’t settle for shallow membership, but labors for mature disciples.
He teaches that the Great Commission is not only about preaching the gospel—it’s about making disciples. He emphasizes that winning a soul is only the beginning. The true work begins after the altar call, when the new believer begins the journey of transformation. That journey requires a shepherd, a guide, and a committed pastor who is ready to teach, correct, and nurture.
This vision of discipleship has shaped the very fabric of his ministry. From the local churches to the Bible schools, from lay ministry training to Sunday preaching, everything is centered around raising people who will walk with God and serve Him faithfully.
Training to Teach Others Also
Bishop Dag’s pastoral model is rooted in 2 Timothy 2:2, where Paul instructs Timothy to entrust the teachings to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. He believes that every believer has the potential to grow and to lead. That’s why his pastoral care system focuses on continuous teaching and the multiplication of capable, spiritual leaders.
He trains his pastors not just to preach sermons, but to patiently teach doctrine. To open the Bible with people in smaller groups, to answer questions, to break down complex truths, and to walk with members as they grow into maturity. His system emphasizes the personal touch. You don’t disciple a crowd—you disciple individuals, one at a time.
That is why many of his churches are structured around smaller gatherings—cells, basantes, ministry groups—where teaching and relationship come together to produce deep spiritual roots.
Discipleship That Demands Commitment
True discipleship is not always easy, and Bishop Dag never pretends that it is. He teaches that discipleship will demand something from you. It will stretch you, correct you, and call you to die to self. But he also teaches that it is in this process that true joy and transformation are found.
He reminds the Church that Jesus never called people to comfort—He called them to follow. And following Christ is a daily decision. That’s why his pastors are trained to challenge their members to grow, to be accountable, to serve, and to change.
The fruit of this approach is clear. His churches are filled with believers who know the Word, who walk in holiness, who evangelize with boldness, and who love the Church. These are not just churchgoers. They are disciples. They have been raised through the patient, Spirit-led model Bishop Dag has laid down.
A Lasting Foundation for Ministry
Discipleship is not a quick fix. It is a long-term investment. But Bishop Dag Heward-Mills knows that it is the only foundation that lasts. A church that is built on discipleship will not be shaken by trends, trials, or transitions. It will stand, because it has been built on the solid rock of God’s Word and the character of Christ.
He continues to labor, to write, to preach, and to teach—not to entertain crowds, but to raise disciples. And through his life, pastors are learning once again that the true work of ministry is not in the event—it’s in the follow-up. It’s in the walking. It’s in the teaching. It’s in the discipleship.