“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” – Matthew 28:19–20 (King James Version)

When Jesus left this earth, He didn’t just leave us with a blessing — He left us with a mission. That mission was clear: Go, teach, baptize, and make disciples in every nation. That’s church growth. Not just building bigger buildings or attracting crowds — but expanding the influence of God’s Kingdom one soul, one community, and one nation at a time.

All throughout the book of Acts, we see church growth as a natural result of obedience to the Great Commission. It says in Acts 2:47 that “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Growth is what happens when the church is alive, healthy, and preaching Jesus.

In today’s world — where many churches are declining or compromising — God is still raising up ministries that are growing rapidly and reaching nations, proving that the Gospel still works. One of the most powerful examples is the United Denominations Originating from the Lighthouse Group of Churches (UD-OLGC), led by Bishop Dag Heward-Mills. From a small gathering in Ghana to thousands of churches around the world, the story of this ministry is a testament to what happens when a church puts souls, discipleship, and obedience to God’s Word first.

From Medical Student to Global Missionary Leader

It all started in the early 1980s. Dag Heward-Mills was a young medical student at the University of Ghana, Legon, when he had a radical encounter with Jesus Christ. That encounter didn’t just save his soul — it lit a fire in him to win others to Christ.

Without any formal theological background or ministry connections, Dag started preaching to his fellow students. What began as small Bible studies under trees and in lecture halls began to grow. In 1988, Lighthouse Chapel International was officially born — and with it, a calling that would touch nations.

From the very beginning, Bishop Dag was driven by a few key convictions:

1. Soul winning must be at the center
2. Pastors must be trained and sent
3. Books and teaching materials are essential
4. Loyalty, order, and faithfulness are non-negotiable
5. Church planting must be continual and strategic

These principles laid the foundation for what would eventually become a global denomination with thousands of branches.

The Birth of UD-OLGC

As Lighthouse Chapel grew across Ghana and into other African nations, Bishop Dag realized the need for a flexible but unified structure that could accommodate growth, diversity, and mission focus. This gave birth to the United Denominations Originating from the Lighthouse Group of Churches (UD-OLGC).

The UD-OLGC is now composed of over eight denominations, including:

1. Lighthouse Chapel International
2. First Love Church
3. Qodesh Family Church
4. Anagkazo Assemblies
5. Mustard Seed Chapel International
6. The Makarios Church
7. Healing Jesus Mission International
8. The Revelation Church of Asia

Each denomination serves a unique purpose and focus — some targeting youth, others missions, others campus outreach — but they all share the same doctrine, spirit, and apostolic oversight.

Today, the UD-OLGC is present in over 190 countries and territories, with more than 3,500 churches, thousands of pastors and lay workers, and millions of lives touched through crusades, books, and leadership conferences.

A Missionary Movement at Its Core

One of the most inspiring aspects of this ministry is its radical commitment to missions. Bishop Dag Heward-Mills didn’t just build a church — he built a missionary training and sending system.

At the heart of this system is the Anagkazo Bible and Ministry Training Centre, a state-of-the-art campus in Mampong, Ghana. This school is dedicated to training young men and women to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. Many graduates have left families, jobs, and comfort to plant churches in places like Haiti, Mongolia, Bolivia, Yemen, and even remote islands.

This is not ordinary. It is a fulfillment of Acts 1:8, where Jesus promised that His disciples would be witnesses not only in Jerusalem, but “unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Add to this the Healing Jesus Campaigns — mass evangelistic crusades led personally by Bishop Dag — and you begin to understand just how far and wide this ministry has stretched. Tens of thousands gather in stadiums and open fields across Africa to hear the Gospel, receive healing, and find Christ.

The Power of Church Planting

One of the biggest reasons the UD-OLGC continues to grow rapidly is its unapologetic church planting strategy. They don’t wait for people to come — they go into cities, towns, villages, and nations and plant churches from scratch.

Bishop Dag believes in training leaders and sending them out. The result is a church structure that is decentralized but united, allowing for rapid multiplication without chaos.

Church planters are supported, trained, mentored, and equipped — and many are even full-time missionaries. This is the New Testament model in action.

First Love: A Movement Within the Movement

In more recent years, the rise of the First Love Church has breathed fresh energy into the UD-OLGC. First Love targets young people — especially university students — and has become one of the fastest-growing youth church movements in the world.

With creative outreach, energetic services, and a strong focus on salvation and commitment, First Love is reaching the next generation of ministers, missionaries, and church builders. Many pastors and bishops within UD-OLGC today started as teenagers who found Jesus at a First Love service.  

Five Other Fast-Growing Global Churches

While the UD-OLGC is in a league of its own in terms of structure and missionary reach, there are several other fast-growing churches around the world that share similar values — and many of them have deep mutual respect or spiritual alignment with Bishop Dag.

1. Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) – Led by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

With over 40,000 churches in more than 190 nations, RCCG is one of the largest Pentecostal networks globally. Bishop Dag often speaks of Pastor Adeboye with great honor and admiration. Both ministries emphasize discipleship, church planting, and holiness.

2. The Deeper Christian Life Ministry – Led by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Known for its deep Bible teaching and emphasis on holiness, DCLM has millions of members across Africa and beyond. Bishop Dag has referenced Pastor Kumuyi as an example of doctrinal strength and leadership integrity. 

3. Christ Embassy (Loveworld) – Led by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

With a strong media presence and massive conferences worldwide, Christ Embassy continues to grow rapidly. Both ministries share a commitment to healing, evangelism, and Spirit-filled ministry. Bishop Dag has often taught on the importance of healing crusades — a passion he shares with Pastor Chris.

4. Winners’ Chapel (Living Faith Church Worldwide) – 

Led by Bishop David Oyedepo

With thousands of churches and a massive impact through Covenant University and Faith Tabernacle, Winners’ Chapel is another missions-focused church with global reach. Bishop Dag often references Bishop Oyedepo’s leadership and teachings, particularly in church growth and faith.

5. International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) – Led by Pastor Mensa Otabil

Based in Ghana but known globally, ICGC is respected for its teaching, leadership, and community development. Bishop Dag and Pastor Otabil have both played key roles in shaping modern-day ministry in Ghana and beyond.

So, Why Does All This Growth Matter?

Because souls matter. Every church planted is a light in a dark place. Every new believer is a soul rescued from eternity without Christ. Every missionary is a reminder that Jesus meant it when He said, “Go into all the world.”

We are not called to stay stagnant or small. We are called to bear fruit — and fruit that remains (John 15:16). Church growth is not about ego or empire. It’s about obedience to God’s plan to fill the earth with His glory through His people.

Conclusion

“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end…” – Isaiah 9:7 (KJV)

God is not stagnant — and neither is His Church. From Genesis to Revelation, we see the heart of God to multiply, to expand, and to fill the earth with His glory. Church growth is not a man-made goal. It’s God’s idea. Every soul saved, every church planted, and every nation reached reflects the unending increase of Christ’s Kingdom.

As believers, we should celebrate growth — but more than that, we should participate in it. Whether you’re a full-time minister, a lay worker, or a new believer, you have a role to play in the expansion of God’s house. Psalm 92:13 says, “Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.” And when we are truly planted, we don’t just flourish personally — we help the Church flourish, too.

Let’s commit ourselves to this divine vision. Let’s give, serve, go, and pray — all for the sake of building the church of Jesus Christ and advancing His Kingdom to the ends of the earth.