Message Legend: George Verwer

This article first appeared in Issue 1 (Autumn 2010) of Flow Magazine.

George founded Operation Mobilisation in 1957, which today has over 5,000 missionaries in 110 countries around the world, motivating and equipping people to share God’s love with millions of people each year.

He handed over the international leadership of OM in 2003 and today travels around the world as an advocate for global mission.

Q: You’re the first in our ‘Legends’ series of heroes of the faith. Who have been your role models over the years?

A: I came to Christ from a non-Christian background through the ministry of Billy Graham. He was my first major role model. Oswald J Smith, through his writing, particularly The Passion for Souls was a huge inspiration in terms of global mission vision.

By 70, most people in the UK have retired but not you! What’s the secret to your amazing energy levels?

Energy is a gift from God. I’ve always taken good care of my health but in the end the calling of God on my life is such a motivating thing. To think that someone like me could be working for the King of Kings… whatever I do, I do ‘heartily as unto the Lord’.

You’ve mobilised hundreds of thousands of people for mission. What advice do you give most often when people come to you with a heart for mission?

It’s Galatians 2:20. To me, the heart of Christian ministry is our walk with God. My passion is true spirituality: integrity, reality, purity, which to me means I am crucified with Christ. I don’t think it ends there though – it goes on to caring for the poor, reaching people with the gospel and loving your neighbour.

OM has been in existence over 50 years – The Message isn’t even half that age yet! What insight could you give to a ministry in young adulthood?

I think it’s about growing in spiritual maturity. Those who think they are already spiritually mature should guess again. We have to continue to grow in grace and that means being ready for change. For example, six years ago I totally turned over the leadership of OM. I’m not on the committee, not leading from behind. I’m not even an advisor. That was my choice. Other founders have found it difficult to do that.

Wherever you go, you promote books and give away thousands of copies a year. Why is literature distribution so important to you?

Well, I had a lot of questions as a young Christian – I still do. Billy Graham’s Peace With God answered so many questions I had as a young man. Books open our eyes to the people of the world and they can mentor a person as much as other people – it’s not either-or, we need both. When it comes to books and films I’m a spiritual glutton! God’s helping me with that.

I understand you are coming up on your 50th wedding anniversary to Drena. Congratulations! But what’s the key?

I believe God gave me the right wife! We’re very different but we have the same focus – we are both committed to Jesus and missions.

What’s the story behind your map-of-the-world jacket?

God gave me that jacket 25 years ago and I’ve been through 200 of them. I just auctioned one off for £1,000 in South Africa. It’s just a great visual device.

Recently staff at The Message watched you give the jacket you were wearing to Andy. What made you do that?

Only a very important person would get one free! It’s a way of me thanking and honouring him. I’ve shared many of my experiences with Andy over the years and I can see that he is a long-distance runner. We both are.