Inside the Mega Church Vision of Dag Heward-Mills
When Bishop Dag Heward-Mills speaks of the “mega church,” he’s not referring only to a large auditorium or a packed Sunday service. His vision of a mega church is deeply spiritual, deeply biblical, and rooted in the idea of fulfilling the Great Commission with structure, strength, and scale. The mega church, in his language, is not just about size—it’s about impact. It’s about a church that can disciple multitudes, send out laborers, and shake entire cities with the Gospel.
This vision was born not out of a desire for popularity, but out of a burden for souls. Bishop Dag’s pursuit of church growth is tied directly to his passion for evangelism. More souls saved means more shepherds needed. More shepherds means more churches. And more churches mean more opportunities to reach the unreached. The mega church is not an end in itself. It is a vehicle for winning the world to Christ.
A Structure That Sustains Growth
One of the greatest challenges many pastors face is how to sustain growth once it starts. Bishop Dag has not only grown a large church—he has taught others how to grow one too. Through years of prayer, trial, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he has built systems that allow churches to expand without collapsing under the weight of their own increase.
These systems include lay ministry, loyalty training, administrative excellence, and consistent teaching of the Word. In the United Denominations Originating from the Lighthouse Group of Churches, members don’t just attend—they serve. Leaders don’t just preach—they train others. The entire system is built on multiplication, not maintenance.
What sets this vision apart is its replicability. It’s not centered on one personality. It’s built on principles. And that’s why it has worked in dozens of countries, in different cultures, and in both urban and rural contexts.
The Heartbeat Behind the Numbers
To some, the idea of a mega church may sound like a numbers game. But in Bishop Dag’s heart, every number is a soul. He has never allowed the size of the crowd to overshadow the value of the individual. The emphasis on growth is not fueled by ambition—it is driven by compassion.
Each increase in membership represents more people being discipled, more hands being trained for ministry, and more lives being transformed. The mega church is not just a big congregation—it’s a big family, structured well, taught consistently, and led with spiritual oversight.
Bishop Dag’s vision reminds us that there is no shame in building big when the purpose is to serve, send, and save. A large church is not a sign of pride—it can be a sign of obedience, especially when the Lord is the one doing the adding.
A Church That Equips and Sends
At the core of the mega church vision is the idea of sending. Bishop Dag has often taught that the purpose of building a strong local church is to raise leaders who can go out and do the same. A healthy mega church is not one that hoards its people—it’s one that releases them into their callings.
Through leadership camps, teaching manuals, and a vast library of ministry books, Bishop Dag has trained thousands of leaders. These leaders have become pastors, missionaries, and church planters. They’ve gone out not just with zeal, but with knowledge, training, and accountability.
This is what makes the vision so powerful. It doesn’t end with one church growing bigger. It ends with the Kingdom growing deeper and wider through churches being planted, pastors being equipped, and cities being reached.