Members of Operation Mobilisation (OM) have been mourning their founder and leader of 45 years, George Verwer, who died on Friday.

Known for his extraordinary legacy in mission work, Verwer's passion for spreading the Gospel and helping others around the world not only touched countless lives but also inspired many to follow in his footsteps.

Revered for his faith and relentless dedication, he leaves behind a lasting impact that will continue to inspire future generations.

Matthew Skirton, CEO of Operation Mobilisation UK, spoke fondly about Verwer's remarkable legacy: "When I moved to the UK, I did wonder ‘what will it be like to work so closely with George Verwer?’ And I would just say it's been the most extraordinary joy and privilege... just to spend time with this man of God."

George was known for his big heart, generosity, and extraordinary memory. Skirton added, "George knew each of our five children by name... A man with an extraordinary memory who would just remember details about, well, hundreds, thousands of people."

George's life changed when he committed to Christ at a Billy Graham rally in New York City at the age of 17. 

From that moment on, he embarked on a lifelong journey in mission work.

In the late 1950s, together with two friends at the age of 19, Verwer headed to Mexico with a burning desire to tell people about Jesus. 

Fast forward 65 years later, and OM now has thousands of people serving in more than 100 different countries.

In addition to founding OM, George Verwer was an accomplished writer who authored several books that have motivated countless individuals worldwide to participate in mission work. 

He was also instrumental in launching OM's ship ministry, with five ships sailing around the world to spread the good news of Jesus.