Pastoring in the Footsteps of Jesus: The Ministry Model of Dag Heward-Mills
Jesus is not just our Savior—He is our Shepherd. He did not merely preach to crowds; He cared for individuals. He didn’t just teach in synagogues; He wept over cities. He knew His sheep, and His sheep knew His voice. This is the image of pastoral ministry that Bishop Dag Heward-Mills has embraced and modeled for decades. His life as a pastor has been shaped not by trends, but by the example of Christ Himself.
To pastor in the footsteps of Jesus is to lead with compassion, teach with conviction, and serve with humility. It is to wash feet, feed sheep, and lay down your life—not just on a pulpit, but in private. Bishop Dag has often said that the call to pastor is a call to die—to self, to comfort, and to personal ambition—so that others may live in Christ.
His ministry reflects this truth. Whether pastoring a small congregation in his early years or overseeing thousands now, the posture has remained the same: a servant shepherd walking closely behind the Chief Shepherd.
Loving the One and the Many
Jesus ministered to multitudes, but He never overlooked the one. He paused for blind Bartimaeus. He spoke to the woman at the well. He touched the leper. Bishop Dag carries the same heart. Though he pastors a large network of churches, he still carries deep concern for individuals. His teachings are full of encouragement to pastors to know their sheep, to visit them, and to be present in their lives.
He teaches that pastoring is not a profession—it’s a relationship. It’s not about managing people from a distance but walking with them through life. In his books like The Art of Shepherding and Transform Your Pastoral Ministry, he teaches pastors to love, feed, correct, protect, and lead—just as Jesus did.
This approach brings healing to hurting people, stability to wavering souls, and trust within the church family. It creates an environment where people are not just taught—they are shepherded.
Preaching That Heals and Builds
Jesus preached truth that set people free. His words had authority, but also love. Bishop Dag teaches and models the same approach to preaching. He does not shy away from hard truths—he teaches repentance, sacrifice, loyalty, holiness, and the cost of following Christ. But he does so with the heart of a shepherd, not a judge.
He believes that preaching is a form of pastoring. It’s where the shepherd’s voice reaches the entire flock. And when that voice is consistent, Spirit-filled, and grounded in Scripture, it brings maturity and transformation.
His Sunday messages, midweek teachings, and camp sermons all reflect this deep care for the sheep. They are not designed to impress—they are designed to build.
The Pastor’s Sacrifice
To pastor like Jesus is to lay down your life. Bishop Dag has often preached that a true shepherd stays through the storm. He doesn’t abandon the sheep when things get hard. He takes the hits. He carries the burdens. And he keeps pointing people to the cross.
This sacrificial life is one Bishop Dag has lived for years. From personal loss to ministry trials, he has stayed faithful, not for applause, but for the sake of the people God has given him. And in doing so, he has raised thousands of other pastors who understand that to shepherd is to suffer—and to love through it all.
Conclusion: Walking Where Jesus Walked
To pastor in the footsteps of Jesus is not to chase success—it is to follow a path of love, truth, and sacrifice. Bishop Dag Heward-Mills has shown that this model still works. It builds churches that are not only large but healthy. It raises leaders who are not only gifted but grounded.
In a time where many are looking for quick results, his ministry reminds us that lasting impact comes from walking with Jesus—and leading others to do the same.