In a world where leadership is often defined by influence, position, and charisma, the ministry of Dag Heward-Mills reminds us of a higher standard: the heart of a shepherd. While he carries the weight of apostolic and teaching grace, at the core of his calling is the simple yet powerful role of a pastor. He is not just a strategist or a preacher—he is a shepherd who cares deeply for the flock.
This pastoral heart can be seen in the way he leads, the way he trains, and the way he teaches. He is not distant from the people. He walks among them. He prays for them. He disciplines them in love. He feeds them with knowledge and understanding, just as God promised in Jeremiah 3:15—“And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
Caring for Souls, One Life at a Time
Dag Heward-Mills has built one of the largest church movements in the world, but he has never lost sight of the individual soul. His books, such as The Art of Shepherding, reflect a deep understanding of the spiritual needs of people. He teaches that the work of a pastor is not to impress crowds but to care for lives—visiting, following up, praying, guiding, and even rebuking when necessary.
He doesn’t view pastoring as a stage ministry. He sees it as a heart ministry. He trains his pastors to know their sheep by name, to go after the lost, to sit with the wounded, and to raise people from brokenness into purpose. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s godly work. And it is the kind of work Jesus modeled.
This personal attention to souls is what has made his churches strong. The members are not just part of a system—they are part of a family. They are pastored, not just organized. They are discipled, not just entertained. And it all flows from the heart of a shepherd who understands that real growth happens when people are loved into maturity.
A Model of Pastoral Excellence
What makes Bishop Dag’s pastoral ministry even more impactful is the example he sets. He doesn’t just tell pastors what to do—he shows them. He rises early to pray. He fasts for long periods. He visits members, leads by example, and spends hours teaching his pastors how to care for their flocks.
Through his camps, ministry manuals, and shepherding conferences, he has raised thousands of pastors who now carry that same heart. They don’t just replicate his sermons—they replicate his love for people. This is how a pastoral movement grows. Not through systems alone, but through spiritual DNA.
He has shown the world that pastoral ministry is not outdated or ineffective. It is powerful. It is needed. And it is still God’s plan for caring for His people. Through the ministry of Dag Heward-Mills, pastors around the world are rediscovering the joy of shepherding, the burden of intercession, and the beauty of feeding God’s sheep.
In a generation hungry for real care, real connection, and real spiritual covering, Dag Heward-Mills stands as a beacon of what it means to be a pastor after God’s own heart.
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