From Genesis to Revelation, God has always been on the lookout—not for spectators, but for servants. People with a willing heart. People who will rise up and build His house. In the days of Haggai, the Bible says, “And the Lord stirred up the spirit… and they came and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts, their God” (Haggai 1:14). God is still stirring hearts today, but only those who are willing will rise up to do the work.
Again, in Exodus 35:21, we read that “they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing… and they brought the Lord’s offering to the work of the tabernacle.” You can see the pattern. God doesn’t use just the qualified. He uses the willing. The Church doesn’t grow through paid professionals alone—it grows through volunteers who love God enough to give Him their time, energy, and strength.
Every believer has a call on their life. 2 Timothy 1:9 tells us that God “has saved us and called us with a holy calling.” You may not be called to a pulpit, but you are certainly called to a purpose. And part of that purpose is to serve in the house of God. That’s why the Lord has given us pastors and teachers—not just to entertain us—but to equip us. “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11–12).
But here’s the reality: not everyone can be a full-time pastor or salaried church worker. That doesn’t mean you’re disqualified from ministry. It just means your assignment may look different. God still expects us to work for Him, not because we’re being paid, but because we love Him. Volunteers aren’t working for earthly rewards—they’re working for heavenly treasure. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:20, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…”
Some of the world’s largest and most impactful churches have understood this spiritual principle. They’ve built strong, dynamic, soul-winning churches—not on the backs of a few full-time staff—but on the shoulders of thousands of willing volunteers. Let’s take a closer look at four churches with some of the largest and most effective volunteer networks in the world today.
1. Gateway Church – Led by Pastor Robert Morris
Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, led by Pastor Robert Morris, is one of the most influential Spirit-filled churches in the United States. Known for its strong biblical teaching and focus on generosity and stewardship, Gateway has also become a blueprint for raising and empowering volunteers.
With multiple campuses and an expansive reach, Gateway’s success is not just in its preaching—but in its serving culture. Pastor Robert often teaches that “every member is a minister”, and that message has created a powerful movement within the church. Currently, Gateway Church has over 30,000 active volunteers across its campuses. These individuals serve in hospitality, tech, children’s ministry, outreach, worship, and small group leadership.
What sets Gateway apart is how they equip their volunteers. They offer structured onboarding, leadership development, and even ministry training tracks to help ordinary members grow into ministry roles. Volunteers are not seen as helpers—they are seen as co-laborers. The church even built a system called “Serve Central” to help people discover where their gifts can best be used.
The impact? Gateway has been able to host massive conferences, serve its community in practical ways, and run large-scale ministry operations—without burnout, because the workload is shared. Their volunteer network has become the backbone of everything they do, and their influence has inspired churches around the world to build the same kind of servant-hearted culture.
2. Assemblies of God – Global Movement Empowering the Church Body
The Assemblies of God (AG) is one of the largest Pentecostal denominations in the world, with a focus on evangelism, discipleship, and Spirit-empowered living. What many don’t realize is that much of AG’s success globally is due to its commitment to empowering volunteers and lay leaders.
With over 69 million adherents in more than 190 countries, the Assemblies of God runs on the passion and sacrifice of over 2 million volunteers globally. From Sunday School teachers and worship leaders to evangelists and small group coordinators, the average AG church is filled with people who serve not for money, but because they know they’re part of something eternal.
AG churches teach that the Holy Spirit equips every believer for ministry. Volunteers are encouraged to discover their spiritual gifts and use them. Many are raised up to become lay pastors, church planters, and missionaries, without ever going on salary. Training programs, Bible schools, and mentorship pipelines help prepare them for real ministry on the ground.
The Assemblies of God has had a huge global impact. In Africa, Asia, Latin America, and even parts of Europe, AG churches are leading revivals, opening schools, planting churches, and supporting communities—all because of a massive, mobilized volunteer base. They prove that when the whole body works together, the Church grows faster and stronger than any single leader ever could achieve alone.
3. Elevation Church – Led by Pastor Steven Furtick
Elevation Church, founded by Pastor Steven Furtick in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a dynamic and fast-growing church known for its powerful worship, engaging sermons, and massive online presence. But one of the most impressive aspects of Elevation is their volunteer base, known as the “eTeam.”
Elevation Church currently has over 20,000 volunteers actively involved across its various campuses and online ministry platforms. Whether it’s greeting guests, managing cameras and lighting, leading youth, or moderating online services—these volunteers are the reason the church runs so smoothly and reaches so far.
Pastor Steven has always preached about purpose and service. He regularly reminds his congregation that greatness in the Kingdom is measured by servanthood, not status. Volunteers at Elevation are treated like leaders and are given real responsibility, training, and community. Their system allows new members to quickly find where they can serve and begin making an impact.
One of Elevation’s most innovative features is how it engages remote volunteers—people who serve from other cities or even countries through their online church campus. These volunteers moderate chatrooms, pray for people in real time, and help create a genuine church experience online.
The result? Elevation has hosted “Love Week,” one of the largest volunteer-driven community service efforts in America. They’ve distributed food, helped schools, cleaned up neighborhoods, and served thousands—all through the hands of unpaid, willing believers. Elevation shows what’s possible when a church invests in activating every member—not just the ones with microphones.
4. First Love Church – Led by Bishop Dag Heward-Mills
First Love Church, founded by Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, is a vibrant youth-based ministry under the United Denominations Originating from the Lighthouse Group of Churches (UD-OLGC). This church is not only known for its passionate worship and intense evangelism—but for its deep culture of volunteerism.
Bishop Dag’s entire ministry is built on the concept of the lay person. He has written extensively on how the Church must be built not by a few paid workers, but by thousands of committed volunteers who love the Lord. Currently, First Love Church has over 50,000 volunteers actively serving in church planting, worship, media, counseling, teaching, follow-up, and more.
Volunteers in First Love are trained and discipled through regular camps, Bible schools like the Anagkazo Bible and Ministry Training Centre, and mentorship programs. They’re given real ministry tasks and are constantly challenged to rise to leadership—not because of their titles, but because of their willingness to serve.
These volunteers have been the reason First Love has planted churches across universities, cities, and even countries in record time. The movement continues to expand because there are lay workers who are carrying the work—not for pay, but out of love for God and the burden to win souls.
First Love Church is living proof that every believer is called to ministry, and that through willing hearts—not just full-time salaries—the work of God can go further and faster than we ever imagined.
Conclusion
God is not just calling a few people to serve Him—He is calling everyone. Whether you’re a doctor, student, business owner, or full-time minister, there is a role for you in building God’s house. Just like in Exodus 35:21 and Haggai 1:14, God is still stirring hearts today. And the Church cannot grow on the shoulders of a few full-time workers. It takes an army of willing volunteers—people who aren’t serving for earthly wages but for eternal reward.
2 Timothy 1:9 reminds us that God has saved us and called us. Ephesians 4:11–12 shows that the goal of leadership is to prepare every saint for the work of the ministry. So whether or not you ever step into a pulpit or get a church paycheck, you’re still expected to serve—and to serve with joy.
Churches like Gateway, Assemblies of God, Elevation, and First Love Church have proven what happens when believers rise up to do just that. They’ve built strong, impactful ministries—not through celebrity, but through servanthood. May we all follow their example, and give our lives to what truly matters: serving God and building His house.
“Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men… knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance” (Colossians 3:23–24).