With thousands of churches under his oversight and a global evangelistic ministry, one might expect Bishop Dag Heward-Mills to become distant or administrative in his leadership. But nothing could be further from the truth. At the core of his calling is the heart of a shepherd—a heart that still cares deeply for people, even after decades of ministry. He has never outgrown the role of a pastor. He has never lost his tenderness for the sheep. And he has never stopped teaching others to love the flock the way Christ does.
True pastoring is not glamorous. It is not about standing behind a pulpit once a week. It is about walking with people. Feeding them. Correcting them. Comforting them. It is about carrying their burdens in prayer and helping them navigate life with faith. This is what Bishop Dag continues to do, not just from a distance, but with great intentionality. Whether he is speaking to a young convert or a senior pastor, his tone is always one of care. His voice carries the weight of someone who truly loves the people God has given him.
This kind of shepherding cannot be faked. It is not a leadership tactic—it is a spiritual burden. It flows from a deep relationship with Jesus, the Chief Shepherd. It is sustained by hours in God’s presence, by fasting, by intercession, and by a genuine love for the flock.
Teaching Pastors to Love the People
One of the greatest marks of Bishop Dag’s ministry is how he trains others to shepherd well. He does not tolerate carelessness or distance in pastoral ministry. He teaches his pastors that if you cannot love people, you cannot lead them. He emphasizes visitation, counseling, and personal follow-up. He reminds his leaders that numbers are not enough. Every member has a name. Every sheep has a story. And every soul matters to God.
In his book The Art of Shepherding, Bishop Dag outlines the work of a true pastor—not just as a preacher, but as a watchman, a guide, a feeder, and a protector. He shares from his own life how he would visit members in their homes, sit with them during difficult seasons, and pray for them when no one else saw. He teaches that ministry is not about popularity but about proximity. Shepherds must be close to their sheep.
This is why his churches are filled with pastoral care. It is not left to chance—it is taught, modeled, and reinforced. Lay pastors, cell leaders, and full-time ministers are all trained to care personally for those under their oversight. This culture of shepherding creates safety. It builds trust. And it allows people to grow in Christ, not just attend services.
Bishop Dag’s love for people is not sentimental—it is sacrificial. It leads him to discipline when needed, to correct in love, and to speak truth even when it is hard. His compassion is not passive. It is active. It works. It heals. It grows churches.
And in a generation that sometimes forgets the pastoral side of ministry, his example stands tall—a reminder that we are not called to manage sheep, but to love them. We are not called to impress crowds, but to feed souls.
Bishop Dag Heward-Mills continues to shepherd with compassion because he has never moved away from the heart of Jesus. And because of that, his ministry remains not only fruitful—but faithful.
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