JO KADLECEK pays tribute to the life of the founder of mission organisation OM…
Updated: 9am, 24th January 2023 (AEST)
Sydney, Australia
Often referred to as ‘the preeminent North American missionary statesman of the last 60 years’ and ‘a trailblazer’, George Verwer, founder of Operation Mobilisation (known by its initials OM), died on 14th April, 2023 near London, England, where he lived with his family. He was 84.
“Strong in God, a spiritual giant – some people have actually called me that,” Verwer said in response to the comments. “They don’t know me. I’m a sinner, who’s growing through the years, who crawls back to the cross when he sins and finds God still loves him and will still use him to bring others to Christ. That’s grace, isn’t it?”
George Verwer in an undated photo. PICTURE: Courtesy of OM
That single-minded focus and humility became trademark attributes of Verwer, according to many who knew him, beginning when he convinced two American college friends to join him for a road trip in Mexico in 1957 to “share Christ’s love”.
From that initial trip, OM was born and Verwer led the organisation to become one of the world’s largest ministries of evangelism, church planting, Bible training, workplace ministry, and relief efforts. Former missionaries with OM have been started an estimated 300 organisations around the globe and many say they have their roots in the OM.
“Verwer led [OM] to become one of the world’s largest ministries of evangelism, church planting, Bible training, workplace ministry, and relief efforts.”
Today, OM has Christian ministry or relief and development teams in over 110 countries, including places as far-reaching as Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East as well as their ship Logos Hope, according to their website. Their work in Australia includes teen outreach, dance ministries and MAP (Ministry to Australian People), which specifically focuses on building relationship with Muslims and new immigrants from 60 countries around Australia.
“George Verwer was an indefatigable missions mobiliser, directly inspiring thousands of people to go into all the world to alert others to the universal reign of God through Christ,” said Dr Michael Frost, director of the Tinsley Institute for Mission and Evangelism at Morling College in Sydney.
Neil Cummings, national director of OM Australia, said that what personally touched him when he saw George’s ministry here in Australia “was that even though he was a respected and well known Christian Leader, he deliberately was open about his mistakes and his failings”.
“He wanted people to understand that God doesn’t just use perfect individuals, but rather ordinary, willing people like you and me. Many young men and women who have joined OM over the years have shared with me how George’s life and testimony challenged their preconceived idea that missionaries were somehow just a few select, particularly holy individuals. His humility helped many to realise that all of us who follow Jesus – not just a special few – are called to be His disciples and have a part to play in sharing the gospel with those who have not yet heard.”
Born in 1938, Verwer grew up in New Jersey on the US east coast, and was given a copy of the Gospel of John when he was 14-years-old. Three years later, he attended a Billy Graham rally in New York City where he responded to Graham’s call to come forward “and commit to Christ”.
He said his life was never the same. He soon began telling other college students about his faith, teaching the Bible and organising trips to help those in need.
Verwer attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, where he met his wife Drena. On his first date with her, he claims he told her, “‘Well, nothing probably is going to happen between me and you, but if anything did, like say marriage, you need to understand that I am going to be a missionary and you probably will be eaten by cannibals in New Guinea’. How she eventually agreed to marry me is a long story.”
They were married 63 years, had three children, and lived as missionaries in several countries. Based on his work and life, Verwer became a recognised speaker and teacher, and authored numerous books, including Out of the Comfort Zone and Drops from a Leaking Tap.
“George Verwer is one of the most important and influential mission leaders of the last century,” said Gospel for Asia’s Vice President Daniel Punnose, when Verwer spoke at a Texas-based GFA event in 2018. “Not only is he the founder of OM, which has born hundreds of other mission movements, but he is a man of boundless passionate energy for the Lord and for the body of Christ.”
George Verwer at sea in an undated photo. PICTURE: Courtesy of OM
OM ships have also visited numbers of port cities throughout the world, with many hundreds of volunteers dispensing Bibles and Christian literature, providing relief supplies, and training young people for Christian service.
Just last year at a Canadian church mission conference, Verwer said, “I believe God has raised up movements like OM, Youth With A Mission and others, to give people a short term in which they can give thought, get to meet people who are involved in missions, get exposure to other nations, the situations, and yes – to the problems. The short-term mission movement has launched more long termers than any other movement, at least in the past 40 years. It’s been a privilege, an unworthy privilege. I’m an unworthy servant to be involved in it.”
