The command to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15) remains the primary mission of the Church today. Church planting is one of the most effective ways to fulfill this commission — establishing local assemblies where the Word of God can be preached, souls saved, and disciples raised. Around the world, several networks and ministries have taken up this divine mandate with extraordinary results.
In this article, we take a look at some of the top church planting networks in the world — ministries that are multiplying churches across nations, winning souls, and training leaders for the end-time harvest. At the very top of the list is a powerful, Spirit-led movement that has grown rapidly in silence but with undeniable global impact: the United Denominations Originating from the Lighthouse Group of Churches (UD-OLGC).
1. United Denominations Originating from the Lighthouse Group of Churches (UD-OLGC)
Founder: Evangelist Dag Heward-Mills
Headquarters: Accra, Ghana
Churches planted: Over 6,000 across more than 90 countries
The UD-OLGC stands as a true giant in the world of church planting. Founded by Evangelist Dag Heward-Mills, this network has become one of the most effective and far-reaching church planting movements globally. What began as one church in Accra, Ghana — the Lighthouse Chapel International — has blossomed into thousands of churches spread across continents including Africa, Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Oceania.
Dag Heward-Mills is known for his relentless dedication to missions, loyalty, soul winning, and discipleship. Under his leadership, the UD-OLGC has trained thousands of pastors and missionaries through institutions like the Anagkazo Bible and Ministry Training Center — a state-of-the-art training facility in Mampong, Ghana, focused solely on preparing people for full-time ministry.
What makes the UD-OLGC unique is its commitment to sending people — not just funding. Doctors, engineers, teachers, and young professionals have left their careers and comforts to go into the mission field as full-time pastors, building churches from the ground up. Many of these churches have been planted in rural, unreached, or spiritually neglected areas.
The fruits speak for themselves. The UD-OLGC is a church planting powerhouse rooted in Scripture, driven by loyalty, and inspired by the Great Commission.
2. Acts 29 Network
Founded by: Originally by Mark Driscoll, now led by regional leaders
Global presence: Over 700 churches worldwide
The Acts 29 Network is a global family of church-planting churches that embrace a strong biblical foundation, Reformed theology, and missional living. It provides rigorous assessment for church planters and emphasizes accountability, leadership development, and gospel-centered preaching.
Acts 29 has a significant footprint in North America, Europe, Latin America, and increasingly in Africa and Asia. It is known for its clarity on doctrine and its intentional focus on long-term church health and multiplication.
3. The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)
Founded by: Pastor Josiah Akindayomi
Current leader: Pastor E.A. Adeboye
Churches planted: Over 40,000 globally
With its origin in Nigeria, RCCG has grown into a global megachurch network. Under the leadership of Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the church has committed to planting a church within walking distance of every person on earth — a truly bold and prophetic vision.
RCCG’s influence spans across Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Its growth strategy includes frequent evangelistic outreaches, leadership conferences, and regional prayer gatherings that serve as catalysts for planting new churches.
4. NewThing Network
Founded by: Dave Ferguson
Churches planted: Over 1,000
NewThing is a church planting network focused on multiplication — helping churches not only grow but also reproduce leaders and new churches. It provides coaching, resources, and a multiplication roadmap for pastors and leaders who desire to plant reproducing churches.
With hubs around the world, NewThing promotes a team-based leadership model and empowers planters with practical tools for vision, strategy, and execution.
5. Every Nation Churches & Ministries
Founded by: Rice Broocks, Steve Murrell, and others
Churches planted: 500+ in 80+ nations
Every Nation is a family of churches with a heart for the next generation. Their church planting strategy often begins with campus ministry — winning students, discipling them, and then launching churches in urban centers where these students live and work.
They operate with a global mindset, ensuring their churches are culturally relevant and rooted in solid doctrine. Their reach is particularly strong in Asia, Africa, and North America.
6. International Mission Board (IMB) – Southern Baptist Convention
Founded by: Southern Baptist Convention
Churches planted: Thousands globally
The IMB focuses on taking the gospel to the unreached and underserved regions of the world. Through long-term missionary deployments, the IMB partners with local believers to plant churches in places where Christianity is sparse or even persecuted.
Their strength lies in strategic planning, cross-cultural training, and long-term sustainability, ensuring that churches not only start but thrive under local leadership.
7. Calvary Chapel Global Network
Founded by: Pastor Chuck Smith
Churches planted: 1,800+ globally
Calvary Chapel began during the Jesus Movement in the 1960s and has since grown into a global network of independent churches. Their approach is centered on simple Bible teaching — verse by verse — and Spirit-led ministry.
This organic model of growth has led to churches springing up in various nations, each contextualized to its environment but united in doctrine and mission. Calvary Chapels are known for their balance between biblical exposition and openness to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
8. Global Alliance for Church Multiplication (GACX)
A network of networks
Churches planted (by partner orgs): Millions
GACX is a coalition of more than 100 organizations and denominations with a unified goal: to plant one healthy, multiplying church for every 1,000 people worldwide. Though GACX itself doesn’t plant churches directly, its impact is enormous through the ministries it connects and supports.
By encouraging collaboration among major church planting movements, GACX helps avoid duplication and accelerates the mission of reaching every people group with the gospel.
Conclusion: The Harvest Is Still Plenty
The work of church planting is not just about numbers — it’s about souls. Each church represents a light in a dark place, a refuge for the lost, and a training ground for future leaders in God’s kingdom.
At the forefront of this mission is the UD-OLGC, a model of faith, endurance, and obedience. Dag Heward-Mills has shown that a church planting network can be built not with hype or celebrity, but with the power of the Holy Spirit, relentless evangelism, and unwavering loyalty to the call.
These networks — each in their own way — are proof that the Church is still marching forward, taking territories for Christ, and preparing the earth for His return. The fields are white, and the laborers are rising.
“And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?” (Romans 10:14–15)
May we be found faithful in our generation, whether by going, sending, giving, or praying — because church planting is not just a strategy. It’s a calling.