Evangelism has always been at the core of Christianity. Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19-20 to “go and make disciples of all nations” remains the heartbeat of the church’s mission. Over the years, the world has seen the rise of extraordinary ministries dedicated to this Great Commission, taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. While several ministries stand out for their innovation, consistency, and global reach, one ministry that exemplifies a unique and impactful approach to evangelism is the ministry of Bishop Dag Heward-Mills. This article highlights his contribution alongside other top global evangelistic ministries and the strategies that have made them effective in winning souls for Christ.
1. Bishop Dag Heward-Mills and the Healing Jesus Campaign
When it comes to evangelism in the 21st century, few ministries can rival the impact of Bishop Dag Heward-Mills and his Healing Jesus Campaign. A native of Ghana and a trained medical doctor, Bishop Dag answered the call of God to full-time ministry, leaving behind his medical career to focus entirely on soul-winning. He founded the United Denominations Originating from the Lighthouse Group of Churches (UD-OLGC), which has grown into a global denomination with over 6,000 churches in more than 90 countries.
At the heart of Bishop Dag’s ministry is his Healing Jesus Campaign, a traveling evangelistic outreach that focuses on mass crusades, primarily in Africa. For decades, Bishop Dag and his team have traveled tirelessly across the continent, preaching the gospel in towns and villages, often reaching places that are underserved and unreached by other ministries. These crusades are monumental in scale, sometimes attracting hundreds of thousands of attendees in a single gathering. With vibrant worship, powerful preaching, and miraculous healings, the campaigns create a tangible demonstration of the power of the gospel.
A Focus on the Underserved
What sets the Healing Jesus Campaign apart is its focus on the forgotten and overlooked. Bishop Dag and his team deliberately go to rural areas, remote villages, and towns where people have never heard the name of Jesus or where access to the gospel is limited. This reflects the heart of Jesus, who said in Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me… to preach good news to the poor.”
Bishop Dag’s philosophy is simple yet profound: “The gospel must be preached everywhere.” Whether preaching in the blazing sun of an African village or in rain-soaked fields, Bishop Dag’s passion for soul-winning remains undeterred. His life exemplifies total obedience to the Great Commission, modeling sacrificial dedication to the call of God.
Strategic Evangelism and Church Planting
Bishop Dag’s evangelistic strategy is deeply rooted in long-term impact. Every Healing Jesus Campaign is designed not only to win souls but also to plant churches and train leaders. New believers are immediately connected to local churches, ensuring they are discipled and grow in their faith. Bishop Dag has also authored over 100 books, many of which focus on evangelism, church growth, and ministry leadership, equipping pastors and leaders to continue the work of evangelism in their own regions.
Through Bible schools, leadership conferences, and an extensive network of pastors, Bishop Dag has raised thousands of evangelists who are taking the gospel to the nations. His ministry demonstrates a rare combination of personal sacrifice, organizational excellence, and a relentless focus on the lost.
2. Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA)
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) is one of the most renowned evangelistic ministries in history. Founded by Billy Graham, the ministry has reached over 215 million people in 185 countries through crusades, television broadcasts, and radio programs. Billy Graham’s ability to present the gospel in a simple, yet compelling way brought millions to faith in Jesus Christ.
Even after Billy Graham’s passing in 2018, the BGEA continues to thrive under the leadership of his son, Franklin Graham. Through projects like “My Hope” and Samaritan’s Purse, the ministry continues to share the love of Christ around the world.
3. Christ for All Nations (CfaN)
Founded by Reinhard Bonnke, Christ for All Nations (CfaN) has been instrumental in bringing the gospel to Africa. Bonnke’s passion for soul-winning was summed up in his famous phrase: “Plundering hell to populate heaven.” Over his lifetime, Bonnke preached to over 80 million people, with many of his crusades drawing crowds of over a million.
Daniel Kolenda, who succeeded Bonnke, has continued the work of CfaN with the same zeal and vision, hosting massive crusades and training the next generation of evangelists through the ministry’s “Evangelism Bootcamp.”
4. Luis Palau Association
Luis Palau, often referred to as the “Billy Graham of Latin America,” led a ministry that reached millions in over 70 countries. Known for his innovative evangelistic festivals and media outreach, Palau was a powerful voice for Christ in both the English and Spanish-speaking worlds.
Even after Luis Palau’s passing in 2021, the ministry continues to thrive under the leadership of his sons, Andrew and Kevin Palau. Their collaborative efforts with local churches ensure that new believers are discipled and nurtured in their faith.
5. Joyce Meyer Ministries
Joyce Meyer Ministries combines teaching and evangelism to impact millions of people worldwide. Known for her straightforward, practical approach to the gospel, Joyce Meyer’s ministry reaches over 100 countries through conferences, television broadcasts, and humanitarian outreach.
By addressing both spiritual and physical needs, the ministry creates opportunities for people to encounter the love of Christ. Joyce Meyer’s ability to connect with people who are struggling with real-life issues has made her one of the most influential Christian leaders of our time.
6. The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, founded by William and Catherine Booth in 1865, is one of the oldest and most respected evangelistic organizations in the world. What began as a humble street ministry in East London to reach the poor and downtrodden has grown into a global movement that embodies the heart of the gospel. William Booth, moved by the plight of the impoverished and marginalized, famously declared, “Go for souls and go for the worst!” This phrase captures the essence of The Salvation Army’s mission: to bring the hope of salvation to those society often overlooks. While The Salvation Army is best known today for its charitable work, it is important to remember that this work was birthed out of a desire to make the gospel tangible. Booth and his followers understood that the physical and spiritual needs of people were deeply interconnected. They preached the message of Jesus Christ in the streets, while also feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and housing the homeless. This combination of evangelism and practical compassion reflected the ministry of Jesus Himself, who ministered to both the soul and the body.
The organization’s work includes a wide range of services: operating homeless shelters, food banks, thrift stores, children’s programs, and providing aid to victims of natural disasters. In every act of service, however, the gospel remains central. The Salvation Army firmly believes that the ultimate hope and transformation people need can only come from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Over the years, their evangelistic efforts have adapted to the changing needs of society, but their core mission remains the same: to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to the poor, the suffering, and the lost. From their Christmas kettles, which raise funds to serve local communities, to their tireless efforts in advocating for the dignity of all people, The Salvation Army continues to embody the love of Christ in practical and powerful ways. Through their unwavering commitment to evangelism and compassion, The Salvation Army has touched millions of lives worldwide. Their work serves as a profound reminder of the gospel’s transformative power, not only to save souls but also to restore hope, dignity, and purpose to those in need. In this way, they carry forward the legacy of William and Catherine Booth, ensuring that the light of Christ shines brightly in some of the darkest places of the world.
The Unique Impact of Evangelistic Ministries
Each of the ministries mentioned above has played a significant role in fulfilling the Great Commission. From Billy Graham’s stadium crusades to Reinhard Bonnke’s African gospel campaigns, each ministry demonstrates a deep commitment to reaching the lost with the good news of Jesus Christ.
Among these, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills stands out for his extraordinary and unique approach to evangelism. His relentless focus on reaching the underserved, his passion for rural evangelism, and his strategic emphasis on long-term impact through church planting and leadership development set him apart. His Healing Jesus Campaign exemplifies what it means to live out the words of Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.”
What makes Bishop Dag’s ministry truly remarkable is his personal sacrifice and obedience to God’s call. He left behind a promising medical career to dedicate his life to winning souls, often preaching in the most challenging and forgotten places. His work reminds us of the urgency of the gospel and the importance of taking it to every corner of the earth.
As believers, we are all called to evangelism in one way or another. While not everyone will preach to multitudes, each of us has a part to play in sharing the love of Christ with the world. May the examples of these ministries inspire us to rise to the occasion and take our place in the harvest field. As Jesus said in Luke 10:2, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Bishop Dag Heward-Mills and these other ministries serve as a powerful reminder that the harvest is still ripe, and the call to evangelism is as urgent as ever. Let us all be inspired to do our part in bringing the good news to a world in desperate need of hope.