Every pastor and ministry leader desires to see growth—spiritual growth in their members, numerical growth in attendance, and kingdom growth in their region. While many chase after trends, technology, or programs to achieve this, Dag Heward-Mills has consistently pointed to one biblical strategy that brings real and lasting growth: church planting.

He believes, and has demonstrated through his ministry, that church planting is the key to sustainable and fruitful growth. Not only does it expand the reach of the Gospel, but it also activates believers, trains leaders, and ensures the Gospel takes root in every community.

The Biblical Pattern of Multiplication

Dag Heward-Mills often refers to the book of Acts when teaching about church growth. The early church did not focus on building massive single congregations—they multiplied. They planted churches in homes, cities, and across different cultures. Each new church became a base for evangelism, discipleship, and spiritual community.

He teaches that the same principle applies today. If we want to grow the Church of Jesus Christ, we must go where the people are and plant churches among them. Multiplication, not mere addition, is the biblical strategy for growth.

Church Planting Activates Leadership

One of the most overlooked benefits of church planting is how it raises leaders. When a church plants another church, it creates opportunities for pastors, assistant pastors, worship leaders, and other workers to rise into new roles. It forces the church to train, mentor, and send.

Dag Heward-Mills has made this a key part of his growth strategy. He doesn’t wait for people to become perfect leaders—he gives them responsibility and then helps them grow into it. Through church planting, leadership potential is uncovered and developed.

Mobilizing the Congregation

In many churches, the majority of members remain passive. They attend services but are not actively involved in ministry. Church planting changes that. When a church prepares to plant another congregation, everyone gets involved—some go, some give, some support in prayer, and some serve on the launch team.

This mobilization creates excitement, purpose, and unity. Dag Heward-Mills has seen how planting new churches revives the sending church and gives fresh purpose to its members.

Reaching the Unreached Through New Churches

Church planting is one of the most effective ways to reach the unreached. A church in one location may struggle to draw people from another community, especially if there are barriers like language, culture, or transportation. By planting a church within that community, the Gospel becomes local and accessible.

Dag Heward-Mills has used this method to expand into regions with little to no Christian presence. Instead of waiting for people to come to church, he brings the church to them. In this way, new souls are reached, and the church continues to grow.

Sustainable Growth Through Replication

A single church can only grow so far before it hits limitations. But a church that plants churches multiplies its influence. Dag Heward-Mills teaches that each church should aspire to become a mother church, birthing others and guiding them to maturity.

This creates a cycle of growth that doesn’t depend on one personality or one location. It’s sustainable, scalable, and effective. It mirrors how the early church expanded from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Conclusion

Dag Heward-Mills believes that church planting is the key to church growth because it activates leadership, mobilizes members, reaches new communities, and reflects the biblical model of multiplication. His ministry has proven this truth through the planting of thousands of churches worldwide, many of which have grown into strong, vibrant congregations.

His conviction challenges today’s church leaders to think beyond their own pulpits and to embrace the call to plant churches. For those who desire true and lasting growth, church planting is not just a method—it is the mission. And through it, the Church continues to grow, one community, one leader, and one church at a time.