It is now 4 months since George Verwer went to be with Jesus. He was the co-founder of Operation Mobilisation (OM). I spent most of my 20s and 30s with this international Christian organisation. A vocational and spiritual home that has profoundly shaped me. That it was so is in no small part to George’s leadership, inspiration and friendship. 

Since I was about 20 George’s influence has been a constant backdrop. Like many thousands of others I feel I have lost a friend. When I say thousands I mean this literally. This is not exaggeration. No one I know or am likely to know had the capacity to keep in touch with so many. He cared and had a personal interest in you. A witness to this are the many tributes on social media and elsewhere. Many say similar things. I make no apologies if what I relate is the experience of others. George was one of the most authentic individuals I have ever met. The least I can do is honour what he meant to me. It has taken time to absorb that this great man actually no longer graces this world, his life’s work done.

In 1976 as a 3rd year university student I went on a summer campaign in Europe with OM. 47 years ago, wow! In preparation for going we had to listen to cassette tapes and read a number of books. Many messages were sermons by George and books written by him. I had never heard anyone so radical in his commitment to loving and serving Jesus. This was followed by further training and preparation at a conference in Belgium where George regularly preached to hundreds of us on the grass outside a seminary. I was then bundled off with a bunch of other young people in an old truck. We were bound for Toulouse, France. Loaded with Bibles and Christian literature we had virtually no money for fuel or food. Not enough to reach our destination. Instructions were when there was a need, sell the literature in the towns and villages we passed through. This ‘evangelism through necessity’ was not everyone’s cup of tea. We made it though! Scores of thousands of young people over the years had similar experiences.

Later when I lived on OM’s ship ‘Logos**’ George would occasionally pass through. Dropping in for a few days wherever we were in the world. To preach, encourage and pray with individuals. Often walking and praying with people at the same time. For some time I was part of the ‘intensive training’ (IT) team on the ‘Logos’. He would sometimes on his visits have sessions with our small group. Challenging us to be stretched spiritually, physically or mentally. He said that people doing IT were like ‘elastic bands’ that could be stretched. See my blog ‘Elastic band training’ if wish to know more. When around he would sometimes join us on early morning exercises. The message was he always practiced what he preached. Leading by example. 

Many have spoken of his commitment to people, maintaining relationships through regular correspondence and phone calls. I always felt I owed him a letter or email. Whether he was on planes, trains or vehicles he would often be dictating letters. Seemed to have a small army of secretaries busy typing out all the letters. During my time on the LOGOS a ‘line up’ colleague Jean had been one of his secretaries. She would receive tapes that would arrive by post from wherever he was. Then faithfully type out letters on his behalf. 

Redeeming the time was a big emphasis. From 1987-90 my wife and I were representing OM in Scotland. During that time George came up for several short trips. Coming from London to Scotland by train. If organising his visit we were expected to pack in as many meetings and personal visits as possible. Once arriving at a university for a Christian Union meeting he told me to go ahead and set up a book table. Meanwhile he would remain in the car dictating letters or making phone calls. George was an early adopter of the mobile phone. In the 1980s they were big, clunky things you carried on your shoulder, a major piece of luggage. My instructions were to let him know just when he was supposed to speak and he would then come in. A similar arrangement was made in a large, city centre church.

For a number of years GV used an old, converted bus to travel around Europe. It enabled him to get more done while travelling. He could meet more people on his travels, carry and sell more books and take on a few passengers. It was a priviledge to join with him on short bus trips while he visited Scotland and Sweden. 

A consummate salesman he employed this gift in selling books. An avid reader you often received a raft of book recommendations and books to read. I remember in the 1980s being overawed that he could sell £7-800 of books at a meeting. In those days that was a lot of money! This was despite giving many books away! He believed in the power of good literature to change lives. 

In the decades since our leaving OM George continued to keep in touch. Always wanting to know what to pray for, sending us books and other literature. Letting us know of places and meetings he was taking. If we were nearby he would be encouraging us to come. 

The George I knew was not really into small talk. Yet he had a great sense of humour and fun. It seemed he had an almost uncanny ability to be thinking of several things at the same time yet was attentive to you. 

Characteristically even till his last days he wanted to be in touch. I am glad I was able to thank him for his life and influence on me. For his vision, integrity and servant leadership. My regret was not going to his memorial service in London and only watching it on Livestream. It was a reunion of many from OM and ex OMers. I was sorry not to be there in person. He would have wanted as many as possible there. 

George would not have carried out his global ministry without the support and dedication of his wife Drena and the devoted team he had around him. His family’s sacrifices enabled George to be available to so many. That is a story most of us will never know. Many blessed by George’s ministry owe a huge debt of gratitude to them.

In recent decades he took to wearing a jacket with a map of the world. Also an inflatable globe which he would utilise in meetings. His deep compassion for the entire world seemed to consume him. Wearing a ‘world’ jacket looked like a metaphor for the man himself. Many preach about the passion Paul the Apostle had for reaching the world with the good news of Jesus. With George you didn’t just get a message, you got a ‘lived out’ example. 

Of course George had his faults. Due to his honesty and humanity it did not seem to lessen one’s respect. Instead it endeared you. Here was someone struggling with the same issues as many of us. Vulnerable, yet he showed the way to repent and get back up again. Those who were closer to him testify to his fierce loyalty to people, even to those who betrayed him.

His preaching was unique. On one level it could seem that he didn’t prepare much. The reality was the whole of his life was preparation. He lived what he said. What he taught was not all that memorable. What I do recall is how it made you feel. The Spirit spoke through this man on fire. Totally consumed, spent in his passion for Jesus and making him known to others. You left not idolising a man but feeling like the Master he served had spoken. The call was to give up small ambitions for the eternal blessing of following Jesus.

Much more could be said. This is mainly how he touched my life. I have not mentioned the impact he made around the world. No doubt biographies are to come which will deal with that. George was many things to many people. Harv Thiessen expresses this ‘everyman’ attribute of the man well…

“It is fascinating that almost every individual reflects themselves, their character, vision and life emphasis in their own recollection.  The visionary, sees a man who inspired over 200 different unique organizations; the prayer warrior sees a man praying continually; the faithful servant sees a man who made extraordinary efforts push through obstacles; the strategist sees a man decades in front of the curve; the marketer sees a man with a unique brand he never deviated from; the preacher sees a man that could move people from the pews into the world; the evangelist saw a man who made every effort to get the gospel to the ends of the earth; the ordinary man saw someone like himself who could do things for God; the spiritual man saw someone totally dedicated to Jesus; the compassionate saw a man deeply committed to the vulnerable and suffering; the philanthropic saw a man who was generous beyond believability; The irreverent saw a man who could push boundaries (who can forget the global underwear story)”

Harv Thiessen, in a 19 Apr 2023 Facebook post

“…because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Cor‬ ‭9‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭(NIVUK‬‬)

THANK YOU GEORGE.

You can read more about George’s life here.

You can read my blogs on the ship Logos here