Today’s Leader of Faith
GEORGE VERWER
Home Call : 14 April 2023
Global Evangelist, Mobilizing Missionary, Author, Founder of OM.
George Verwer (1938–2023) was a Christian evangelist and the founder of Operation Mobilization (OM), one of the largest missionary organizations in the world. In the prime of his youth, he gave up wealth and promising future prospects to serve God. He became well-known for his unique approach to evangelism, showing how the Gospel could effectively work amidst diverse religious traditions. With a heart full of passion for missions and a deep sense of commitment, he dedicated himself to reaching people in remote and unreached regions with the message of the Gospel. He was a passionate preacher who fervently urged all believers in Jesus to embrace true discipleship. He inspired thousands of young people to step into missionary service, instilling in them the burden to “conquer the world for Jesus.” His vision extended far beyond a single region, as he laboured with a global mission, determined to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. He was known for his passionate heart for missions, his unconventional approach to evangelism, and his deep commitment to spreading the gospel, especially in unreached areas. He undertook numerous initiatives, including distributing Bibles and knowledge to people in minority nations, spreading the light of the Gospel even in restricted countries, and organizing training camps for countless young people. He authored several books on various Christian themes, which have been distributed in the millions across the globe. He also provided leadership to missionary ships like Logos and Doulos, pioneering the unique mission of sharing the Gospel through ships, an effort that became recognized as the world’s largest floating book fair. These ships carried the Gospel, Christian literature, and humanitarian aid to various parts of the world. As part of this mission, Christian book fairs were established in hundreds of countries, where the Gospel was shared through book exhibitions and distribution. Thousands of books in multiple languages were made accessible. During his visit to India in 1964, he was profoundly impacted by the ministry of Bro. Bakht Singh, whose influence stood out among all he encountered throughout his multi-nation mission journey and wholeheartedly supported the servant of God, actively partnering in the Lord’s work. His guiding principle was not to live as a “leader,” but as a “servant.” For example, when Bro. Bakht Singh sent teams for evangelism, Verwer himself would sometimes drive the truck if there was a need. In a humorous yet humble spirit, he used to call himself “God’s bungler,” acknowledging his own insignificance before God. He was known for wearing the iconic “Globe Jacket” as a symbol of his missionary calling, urging Christians to have a global vision for missions. When some countries banned him, his words were, “We may be thrown out of some countries, but we are never thrown out of God’s plan.”
George Verwer was born on July 3, 1938, to Dutch immigrant parents in Wyckoff, New Jersey. He attended Maryville College and later transferred to Moody Bible Institute. In his youth, he overcame many challenges and was led to Christ in 1953 through Billy Graham’s ministry, which stirred in him a deep passion to proclaim the Gospel. His discipleship and future missionary calling were shaped and nurtured by Dawson Trotman, the founder of The Navigators. In 1957, at just 17 years old, he began distributing the Gospel of John in Mexico and started supplying Bibles to countless schools. This early initiative led to the formation of “Send the Light,” which later evolved into the major missionary movement known as Operation Mobilisation (OM). In 2009, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity by Biola University.
After graduating, George Verwer and his team went to Spain as part of their early missionary efforts. His boldness in distributing Bibles in the USSR led to his arrest and deportation, which only strengthened his resolve for missions. It was in 1961, after a time of prayer, that Operation Mobilization (OM) was officially founded. In August 2003, he handed over OM’s international leadership to Peter Maiden, who had been serving as the Associate International Director for 15 years. Even after stepping down, Verwer and his wife continued to travel extensively, engaging in Special Projects Ministries, where they preached, encouraged missionaries, and promoted global evangelism.
Verwer passed away on at the age of 84, after battling cancer. Even in his final days, he remained passionate about global missions and encouraged believers to live fully for Christ. His legacy continues through Operation Mobilization (OM) and the countless lives he impacted through his evangelistic work.
— John Michael, Rajahmundry