GEORGE Verwer, evangelist and founder of Operation Mobilization, passed away peacefully at his home near London, England, on April 14 while surrounded by family members and loved ones, at age 84.
In February 2023, Verwer shared that he had been diagnosed with Sarcoma cancer. It was in his special release newsletter that he asked, “Please ask people not to pray for total healing as I really am looking forward to heaven. Ask for prayer for grace for the rough journey that daily will be ahead.”
George was born in New Jersey, USA, and committed his life to Christ at a Billy Graham meeting in New York City in 1955. Driven by the cause of world evangelism from then on, the teenage maverick went on to have immeasurable global impact. He has been described as “the most outstanding North American missionary statesman of the last 60 years.”
Colleagues, friends condole the death of George Verwer
Verwer was well-known for his passion for making disciples of all nations and believed that “literal adherence to the principles laid down by Jesus Christ would, without a doubt, result in worldwide revolution. A revolution motivated by love; a revolution executed by love; and a revolution culminating in love.”
Verwer ran Operation Mobilization for 45 years, expanding his ministerial efforts on a global scale to involve others in spreading the gospel. The organization’s mission is to “see vibrant communities of Jesus followers among the least reached.”
“George changed the face of missions in his generation,” said Andrew Scott, President of OM in the 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.”
OM, as one of the largest mission organizations, has sent forth thousands of missionaries to distribute Bibles and additional Christian literature, educating those they encounter about Jesus Christ and encouraging them toward a personal relationship with the Lord. Today, more than 3,000 OM workers are active in almost 150 countries, in a huge range of ministries.
Regarding Verwer’s passing, OM representatives shared, “Our founder’s earthly mission is accomplished, and he is now with the Lord.”
