For decades, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills has demonstrated that Christian ministry goes beyond the pulpit. His Help the Helpless charity and Hope Center Hospital are powerful examples of the Church meeting the needs of the vulnerable with a deep sense of compassion.

These initiatives have made a significant impact by providing crucial resources and healthcare to those who would otherwise be left behind. With a focus on serving amputees, the elderly, the economically disadvantaged, and those in need of specialised medical care, Bishop Heward-Mills’s work shows the Church’s profound capacity to transform lives and restore dignity.

Compassion in Action

Help the Helpless, launched in 2007, began as an outreach initiative under Bishop Heward-Mills’s ministry to assist the disadvantaged in Accra and surrounding regions. Inspired by Jesus’s words in Matthew 25:40, where He says, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,” Help the Helpless aims to bring practical assistance to those struggling with basic needs. From providing meals and clothing to offering companionship, Help the Helpless embodies the essence of compassionate ministry.

The Hope Center Hospital, built in Amrahia and inaugurated in 2023, adds another layer to this vision. Originally intended to serve amputees, the centre has grown to include fertility treatments and general medical services. This facility provides custom-made prosthetics for amputees, allowing recipients to regain mobility, independence, and a new lease on life.

For Bishop Heward-Mills, the work of the Hope Center is about more than physical healing—it’s about restoring hope, confidence, and purpose to those who have lost them. The Hope Center, together with Help the Helpless, exemplifies the Church’s role in delivering both physical and spiritual support to those who need it most.

The Biblical Call to Care for the Vulnerable

The ministry’s work is rooted in the teachings of Jesus, who emphasised serving others as an expression of love and faith. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus showed compassion to the marginalized, healing the sick and uplifting the poor. Luke 4:18 records His declaration: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.” This same spirit of service is reflected in Bishop Heward-Mills’s initiatives, which aim to offer both healing and hope.

Scripture makes it clear that caring for the poor is central to the Christian life. Proverbs 19:17 states, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” Help the Helpless and the Hope Center embody this principle, reminding believers that charity is not merely an act of kindness but a command from God. By meeting the needs of the disadvantaged, Bishop Heward-Mills’s ministry brings the Gospel to life, showing that faith is most powerful when expressed through love and service.

The Help the Helpless Charity

The Help the Helpless charity operates as a safety net for those who are often overlooked by society. Directed by Dr Naabea Anika Dwomoh, this initiative organizes regular outreach events, like the Love Outreach at The Qodesh, which gathers hundreds of individuals in need for a time of fellowship, food, and support. Volunteers and church members come together to serve the elderly, disabled, and economically disadvantaged, providing essentials like meals, clothing, and companionship.

For many recipients, this support has been life-changing. One such event saw hundreds of people receive food and supplies, with some attendees sharing testimonies of how the assistance helped them regain a sense of hope and belonging. These gatherings are not just about meeting physical needs—they’re about creating a community that cares, prays, and uplifts. Through Help the Helpless, Bishop Heward-Mills’s ministry shows that the Church has a critical role to play in supporting society’s most vulnerable.

The The Hope Center

The Hope Center Hospital represents Bishop Dag Heward-Mills’s commitment to restoring mobility and independence to those who have lost them. One powerful example is the story of Lawrence Ahiadu, an amputee who met Bishop Heward-Mills during a Good Friday service. After hearing about Lawrence’s struggle to perform daily tasks, Bishop Heward-Mills promised to help him obtain a prosthetic limb. Shortly after, Lawrence was contacted by a doctor at the Hope Center, where he received a custom-made prosthesis that transformed his life. Today, Lawrence can walk, work, and complete tasks on his own, grateful for the support that has enabled him to regain his independence.

Lawrence’s story is just one of many. Since opening in 2023, the Hope Center has provided numerous amputees with prosthetic limbs, free of charge for those who cannot afford them. This service includes an initial evaluation, where measurements are taken to create a personalized prosthesis. The centre also offers training sessions to help recipients adjust to their new prosthetic limbs, ensuring they feel confident and comfortable as they reenter daily life. By offering such comprehensive care, the Hope Center gives amputees more than just mobility—it gives them back their dignity and sense of purpose.

A Model for the Church: Practical Love in Action

Bishop Heward-Mills’s efforts through Help the Helpless and the Hope Center serve as a model for what the Church can achieve when it prioritises compassionate outreach. By addressing both spiritual and physical needs, his ministry bridges the gap between faith and tangible support, creating a pathway for people to experience the love of Christ firsthand. Through these initiatives, the ministry exemplifies how the Church can serve as both a spiritual and social anchor, offering solutions to real-world issues like poverty and disability.

This holistic approach not only meets immediate needs but also opens doors for spiritual transformation. Many who receive aid from Help the Helpless and the Hope Center become open to hearing the Gospel, seeing firsthand that God cares for their lives and well-being. Bishop Heward-Mills’s work reminds the Church that fulfilling the Great Commission involves more than preaching—it requires reaching out with a helping hand and a compassionate heart.

Impacting Lives, One Step at a Time

The stories emerging from *Help the Helpless* and the Hope Center are powerful testimonies of lives transformed by kindness and care. Those once confined by physical limitations and social hardships are now empowered to live fuller, more independent lives. For recipients like Lawrence, the support provided by Bishop Heward-Mills’s ministry is a lifeline, restoring not only their physical abilities but also their confidence and self-esteem. Each story of transformation underscores the ministry’s dedication to bringing hope and healing to those who need it most.

The Ministry of Dag Heward-Mills: A Commitment to Compassion

The life and ministry of Bishop Dag Heward-Mills are marked by a relentless commitment to compassion. From his beginnings as a medical doctor to his current role as a global evangelist and leader of thousands of congregations worldwide, Heward-Mills has shown that faith is most powerful when expressed through love and service. His church, the United Denominations Originating from the Lighthouse Group of Churches, reaches across over 90 countries with the same spirit of service, reminding believers everywhere that the Gospel calls us to serve others selflessly.

In addition to his ministry initiatives, Bishop Heward-Mills has authored over 100 books, including bestsellers like Loyalty and Disloyalty and Church Growth: It is Possible. His teachings emphasize loyalty, integrity, and the importance of building a strong church that can effectively serve its community. His ministry’s commitment to helping those in need through Help the Helpless and the Hope Center is a reflection of these values, showing that a church’s impact is greatest when it is rooted in service.

The Church’s Call to Serve and Transform Lives

Bishop Heward-Mills’s ministry highlights the Church’s vital role in addressing the challenges faced by the poor, sick, and vulnerable. By reaching out to those in need, the Church can serve as a stabilizing force in a world marked by inequality and hardship. The work of *Help the Helpless* and the Hope Center demonstrates that the Church can be a source of hope, healing, and renewal for individuals and communities.

For Christians, this call to serve is more relevant than ever. As Bishop Heward-Mills’s initiatives show, the Church’s mission is not confined to preaching from a pulpit—it extends to the streets, communities, and hospitals where people are in desperate need of love and support. By providing tangible assistance, the Church brings the Gospel to life, offering a testimony of God’s love that can reach even the hardest hearts.

In a world where many feel abandoned and marginalized, the work of Bishop Dag Heward-Mills and his ministry shines brightly, reminding us all of the profound impact of compassion. Through Help the Helpless and the Hope Center, Bishop Heward-Mills’s legacy of love continues to inspire, showing that true faith is always accompanied by action, compassion, and a commitment to serve those who need it most.