Church growth is more than just increasing attendance—it’s about expanding the Kingdom of God through evangelism, discipleship, leadership development, and spiritual maturity. As churches face challenges ranging from dwindling commitment to leadership crises, the need for sound, biblical instruction on how to grow healthy churches has become more critical than ever.
Thankfully, God has raised up a group of anointed leaders who have been gifted to teach, model, and multiply church growth principles. These men are not just building large congregations; they are equipping others to do the same across nations and generations. They offer a blend of spiritual depth, pastoral experience, and biblical insight that makes their teachings both powerful and practical.
At the forefront of this list is Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, a prolific author, church planter, and missionary whose teachings have helped thousands of pastors build vibrant and growing churches.
Below are ten anointed teachers of church growth principles, with Bishop Dag Heward-Mills leading the way.
1. Bishop Dag Heward-Mills – Ghana
Founder: United Denominations Originating from the Lighthouse Group of Churches (UD-OLGC)
Specialty: Evangelism, leadership development, loyalty, and church planting
Bishop Dag Heward-Mills is one of the most impactful teachers of church growth in this generation. His message is rooted in a strong biblical foundation, seasoned by years of missionary work and practical church-building experience. Through his leadership, the United Denominations Originating from the Lighthouse Group of Churches (UD-OLGC) has planted over 3,000 churches in more than 90 countries—a clear testament to the fruit of his church growth principles.
One of his most influential contributions to church growth is the book The Mega Church, which outlines practical steps to building a large and healthy church. From choosing the right leaders to establishing loyalty, handling offenses, and building strong lay ministry structures, Bishop Dag’s teachings are incredibly relevant and applicable.
What makes his approach unique is the emphasis on training and deploying leaders, especially through the Anakazo Bible and Ministry Training Center. Many pastors who train under him go on to plant successful churches in difficult mission fields, carrying with them the DNA of soul-winning, loyalty, and fruitfulness.
He doesn’t just teach growth—he demonstrates it, multiplies it, and sends it into the nations.
2. Bishop David Oyedepo – Nigeria
Founder: Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners’ Chapel)
Bishop David Oyedepo is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of mega church growth in Africa. Through faith-based teachings and visionary leadership, he has grown Winners’ Chapel into a global movement with tens of thousands of churches worldwide.
His Bible institute, WOFBI, trains leaders in the principles of growth, structure, discipline, and vision. His book Exploring the Secrets of Church Growth provides clear insights into building a vibrant and expanding church based on scriptural patterns.
3. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome – Nigeria
Founder: Christ Embassy (LoveWorld Nation)
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome uses a combination of spiritual empowerment and organizational wisdom to teach church growth. His cell system is one of the most effective growth structures in the modern church, encouraging members to become leaders and disciple-makers.
His global devotional, Rhapsody of Realities, helps build a culture of daily spiritual development, which in turn fuels the strength and growth of the church at the grassroots level.
4. Pastor Enoch Adeboye – Nigeria
General Overseer: Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)
Pastor E.A. Adeboye teaches church growth through consistency, simplicity, and prayer. Under his leadership, RCCG has grown into a global denomination with churches in more than 190 nations.
He emphasizes the power of small beginnings and steady multiplication. His philosophy is that any member can become a church planter with the right heart and support. This has enabled RCCG to plant thousands of churches, many in previously unreached areas.
5. Dr. Mensa Otabil – Ghana
Founder: International Central Gospel Church (ICGC)
Dr. Mensa Otabil approaches church growth from a visionary and leadership-driven perspective. He teaches that healthy church growth must be rooted in sound doctrine, leadership development, and organizational systems.
His teaching ministry has helped many churches restructure for growth, and his leadership conferences train pastors and lay leaders in the principles of biblical governance and effective ministry management.
6. Apostle Joshua Selman – Nigeria
Founder: Koinonia (Eternity Network International)
Apostle Joshua Selman has quickly risen as a respected voice in teaching on spiritual foundations for growth. His messages stress that before a church can grow numerically, it must grow in spiritual maturity, prayer, and character.
He teaches pastors to focus on cultivating deep intimacy with God, strong teaching ministries, and raising transformational leaders within the church.
7. Rev. Eastwood Anaba – Ghana
Founder: Eastwood Anaba Ministries
Rev. Eastwood Anaba combines prophetic insight with biblical teaching to guide pastors on how to break growth barriers. He focuses on the importance of the anointing, prayer, and bold evangelism in expanding the Church.
His camps and revival meetings have been platforms where many ministers receive fresh fire and practical tools for growth in their churches.
8. Prophet Uebert Angel – Zimbabwe/UK
Founder: Spirit Embassy – The Good News Church
Prophet Uebert Angel teaches growth with a focus on media, the prophetic, and spiritual relevance. His ministry trains leaders to reach the modern generation through unconventional strategies while maintaining biblical values.
He emphasizes church planting, team leadership, and the importance of spiritual authority in achieving sustained growth.
9. Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo – Nigeria/UK
Founder: Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC)
Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo teaches church growth with an emphasis on financial empowerment, excellence, and visionary leadership. His seminars and leadership schools train pastors to develop structures and systems that support continuous growth.
His emphasis on reaching the African diaspora has led to the establishment of thriving churches in the UK and other parts of Europe.
10. Dr. Tony Evans – USA
Founder: Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship
Though based in the United States, Dr. Tony Evans has impacted the African Church through his teachings on the Kingdom agenda and church health. He teaches that church growth must start with strong biblical foundations and community transformation.
His materials are widely used by African pastors who want to combine theology with practical pastoral skills for a growing and thriving congregation.
Conclusion
Growing a church is more than a trend—it is a spiritual responsibility. When churches grow, lives are transformed, communities are reached, and the Gospel is spread far and wide. The teachers on this list have dedicated their lives to unpacking the biblical and practical secrets of church growth, and their impact speaks for itself.
At the top of this group stands Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, whose passion for soul winning, leadership development, and church planting has made him a teacher of teachers. Through his books, conferences, training centers, and personal example, he continues to raise a generation of pastors who are building thriving churches all over the world.
In a time where many are seeking shortcuts, these men remind us that church growth is spiritual work, and with the right principles and God’s anointing, the Church will continue to rise, flourish, and fulfill its mission on the earth.