Founder of Operation Mobilisation Passes
The worldwide Christian community is mourning the passing of George Verwer, founder of global missions organisation, Operation Mobilisation (OM).
George Verwer, 84, was born in 1938, got saved at a Billy Graham meeting aged 17 in 1955, and started doing missionary work in 1957 when he travelled to Mexico with two other students to distribute the Gospel and Christian literature.
With a passion to share the Gospel throughout the world, George started OM in 1961. It now has over 5,000 workers — representing more than 100 nationalities — serving in the OM family of ministries. OM has reached millions with the Gospel and has inspired people of all ages to do missions work.
George led the organisation for 45 years before stepping down in 2003, when he continued to speak at worldwide gatherings and focus on special projects.
He has been described as “the most outstanding North American missionary statesman of the last 60 years.”
“George changed the face of missions in his generation,” said Andrew Scott, president of OM USA. “When the mission agencies of the late fifties were looking for highly trained individuals with seminary degrees who would commit to going for a lifetime, George invited young people who simply loved Jesus to come for a summer. This was new. This was different. Thousands came.”
Matthew Skirton, CEO of OM in the UK, said: “George truly practised what he preached. His authenticity and passion for reaching the lost — but also his humility and transparency when sharing about his struggles — have profoundly impacted me in my life, and I know have touched, encouraged and challenged so many others as well.”
He is survived by his wife and their three children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
