One of the clearest mandates given to the Church is found in the final words of Jesus to His disciples: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…” (Matthew 28:19, KJV). This command, often called the Great Commission, is not a suggestion—it’s a calling for every believer and every church.
In our time, certain churches have taken this commission personally and turned it into powerful missionary movements that are reaching nations with the gospel. From Africa to Europe, Asia to the Americas, these ministries are changing the spiritual landscape of the world. Let’s take a closer look at four churches pioneering in global missions today.
1. Lighthouse Chapel International – Dag Heward-Mills
Lighthouse Chapel International (LCI), now part of the United Denominations Originating from the Lighthouse Group of Churches (UD-OLGC), was founded by Bishop Dag Heward-Mills in 1987 in Accra, Ghana. What began as a small fellowship in a medical school classroom has grown into a global denomination with thousands of branches across continents—Africa, Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Australia.
A Vision Fueled by Obedience
Bishop Dag Heward-Mills received a personal call from the Lord during his days as a student. He believed in starting a church that was not just a building, but a movement—a missionary-minded church that would send people out rather than keep them in. Over time, he wrote extensively on ministry and church growth, producing over 70 books, many of which are now used in Bible schools and training centers globally.
At the heart of Lighthouse’s missionary expansion is its Anagkazo Bible and Ministry Training Centre, which trains young men and women to plant churches around the world, often in rural and unreached areas. The word Anagkazo—a Greek term used in Luke 14:23—means to compel people to come in.
“And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” – Luke 14:23, KJV
With this compulsion, Lighthouse has sent hundreds of missionaries who serve sacrificially in foreign lands—many of whom have left professional careers to serve the Lord full-time.
Impact in Numbers
- Over 3,000 branches worldwide
- Churches in over 90 countries
- Thousands of full-time missionaries trained and deployed
Lighthouse’s story is proof that faith, loyalty, and obedience can birth a worldwide missionary force.
2. Winners’ Chapel – Living Faith Church and the Mountain of Faith
Another remarkable missionary church is Winners’ Chapel, also known as Living Faith Church Worldwide, founded by Bishop David Oyedepo in 1981 after he received a vision from God in a quiet prayer room in Nigeria. In this encounter, the Lord spoke to him: “The hour has come to liberate the world from all oppression of the devil through the preaching of the Word of faith; and I am sending you to undertake this task.”
Faith as a Missionary Weapon
With a heavy emphasis on faith, prosperity, and victorious living, Winners’ Chapel has taken this vision to the nations. What many don’t realize is how deeply missions-oriented this church is. Through its Mission to the World mandate, the ministry has been strategically planting churches in nations across Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and the U.S.
Bishop Oyedepo emphasizes speed and sacrifice. Every year, the church sends out waves of trained pastors and ministers to establish churches in new territories—often with little more than a Bible and a burning vision.
“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” – Acts 19:20, KJV
Global Reach
- Churches in over 50 countries
- The famous Faith Tabernacle in Ota, Nigeria (one of the largest church buildings in the world)
- A robust Bible school network known as Word of Faith Bible Institute (WOFBI)
Winners’ Chapel believes that the gospel must not only be heard—it must be seen through results. Their mission is to raise people who will walk in dominion, and then send them to spread the message of victory through Christ.
3. The Church of Pentecost – Ghana’s Giant with a Global Heart
Founded in 1953 and officially independent from its missionary roots in the UK in the 1960s, The Church of Pentecost has become one of the largest and most influential Pentecostal denominations in Africa. Today, it boasts a presence in over 100 countries with millions of members.
Missions Birthed in the Upper Room
The Church of Pentecost has its DNA rooted in the power of the Holy Spirit. Its first converts experienced revival-style manifestations, and from the beginning, the church emphasized the spiritual gifts, holiness, and outreach.
The church’s Mission Department is central to its strategy. Over the decades, missionaries have been sent to plant churches in both rural communities and major cities across the world. One of the unique features of this church is its community transformation projects—from clean water systems to schools, health facilities, and prison ministries.
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me… unto the uttermost part of the earth.” – Acts 1:8, KJV
Kingdom-Oriented Governance
The Church of Pentecost is known for its strong internal governance and accountability, which has allowed it to scale effectively. Its leaders are not just spiritual shepherds—they’re also strategic thinkers committed to seeing God’s kingdom established in practical ways.
Mission Highlights
- Active in 151 countries
- Over 3 million members globally
- Thousands of missionaries and volunteers on the field
Their current five-year strategic vision, “Possessing the Nations”, encourages every member to be a “missionary at the workplace,” turning every sphere of society into a mission field.
4. Christ for All Nations – Evangelism on a Grand Scale
When it comes to mass evangelism, no modern ministry has matched the sheer numbers of Christ for All Nations (CfaN), founded by Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke. Known for his fiery crusades across Africa, CfaN has led over 84 million documented decisions for Christ as of 2024.
Though not a “church” in the traditional sense, CfaN has significantly shaped the modern missions landscape, inspiring countless churches and individuals to embrace evangelism on a national and continental scale.
From One Man to a Multitude
Reinhard Bonnke started preaching in a tent to a few dozen people in Lesotho in the 1970s. But as the years progressed, God began to multiply his efforts. Massive open-air crusades in Nigeria and beyond saw millions gather in a single night. After Bonnke’s passing, his successor Daniel Kolenda continued the vision, launching Bootcamp evangelism training and multiplying the number of evangelists being sent into the harvest field.
“Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” – John 4:35, KJV
A Revival Movement
What sets CfaN apart is its laser focus on salvation. Their events often involve:
- Healing services
- Deliverance
- Baptism of the Holy Spirit
- Follow-up and discipleship connections with local churches
Their model is collaborative—working with existing churches to ensure new converts are discipled and rooted in a local body.
The Call to Go
In every generation, God raises up churches and movements that capture His heartbeat for the nations. Whether it’s through planting churches, hosting crusades, or training young missionaries, these ministries are walking in obedience to the words of Jesus:
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” – Mark 16:15, KJV
From the compelling strategy of Lighthouse Chapel, the kingdom-centered prosperity gospel of Winners’ Chapel, the Spirit-led discipline of The Church of Pentecost, to the soul-winning fire of Christ for All Nations, each is playing a distinct but united role in bringing in the end-time harvest.
God is still calling ordinary men and women to do extraordinary things for His kingdom. You don’t need a pulpit or a platform—just a willing heart. The same Spirit that empowered the apostles and sent missionaries across oceans is available today. The harvest is still waiting, and the world is still in need. Every Christian has a role to play—whether by going, sending, praying, or supporting. Let us be stirred by these examples and say, like Isaiah, “Here am I; send me.”
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” – Isaiah 6:8, KJV
What Can We Learn?
- Every church can be a missionary church. Missions isn’t just for a few; it’s the call of every believer.
- Training and discipleship matter. These churches invest deeply in developing leaders before sending them.
- Obedience opens nations. None of these movements started big—but their founders said “yes” to God.
As the world grows darker, the light of the gospel must shine brighter. May the example of these churches stir us all to play our part in God’s global mission.
“The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” – Matthew 9:37-38, KJV