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How to Get a Canadian to Love You (Comedy)
George Verwer

George Verwer (1938 - 2023). American evangelist and founder of Operation Mobilisation (OM), born in Ramsey, New Jersey, to Dutch immigrant parents. At 14, Dorothea Clapp gave him a Gospel of John and prayed for his conversion, which occurred at 16 during a 1955 Billy Graham rally in New York. As student council president, he distributed 1,000 Gospels, leading 200 classmates to faith. In 1957, while at Maryville College, he and two friends sold possessions to fund a Mexico mission trip, distributing 20,000 Spanish tracts. At Moody Bible Institute, he met Drena Knecht, marrying her in 1960; they had three children. In 1961, after smuggling Bibles into the USSR and being deported, he founded OM in Spain, growing it to 6,100 workers across 110 nations by 2003, with ships like Logos distributing 70 million Scriptures. Verwer authored books like Out of the Comfort Zone, spoke globally, and pioneered short-term missions. He led OM until 2003, then focused on special projects in England. His world-map jacket and inflatable globe symbolized his passion for unreached peoples.
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Sermon Summary
George Verwer shares a humorous and engaging experience from a youth meeting in Vancouver, where he connected with Canadian youth by embracing his identity as an American and using humor to break down barriers. He recounts how a lively atmosphere, including a rock and roll song, set the stage for a powerful message that led to many teenagers recommitting their lives to Christ. Verwer emphasizes the importance of authenticity and humility in building relationships, even across cultural divides, and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to inspire young people despite his own insecurities.
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Sermon Transcription
Especially after I spoke at this youth meeting in Vancouver, I was as wild as I've ever been in a youth meeting. I even spoke with my hat on. I didn't only have my global jacket on, I had that heavy flag, black flag jacket, which fortunately has the Canadian flag there. And they had this tremendous rock and roll song just before I went up to preach. And I ended up giving this Canadian a new, I can never repeat it, I don't think. I have to get that tape and listen to it. New Canadian cheer that God gave me. How a Yank from south of the border can win so many Canadians, I've been doing it for 35 years, is a bit of a mystery. But there's a way that you can get Canadians to love you. Just admit that you're an American jerk. They'll put their arms around you and they will love you. Anyway, I pointed to that Canadian flag and I gave this long, total abusive on my vocal cords, cheer that lasted for almost a minute, like an opera. It didn't sound like opera. And after that, I tell you, they were wild. When I gave this invitation, lordship, repentance, revival, go, send, the whole thing off the charts. Hundreds of these teenagers just stood up and made that recommitment. Many came for prayer and counseling. And I just have to thank God for the privilege that an old, holy ghost goat like me could still speak to young people. It's very intimidating.
How to Get a Canadian to Love You (Comedy)
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George Verwer (1938 - 2023). American evangelist and founder of Operation Mobilisation (OM), born in Ramsey, New Jersey, to Dutch immigrant parents. At 14, Dorothea Clapp gave him a Gospel of John and prayed for his conversion, which occurred at 16 during a 1955 Billy Graham rally in New York. As student council president, he distributed 1,000 Gospels, leading 200 classmates to faith. In 1957, while at Maryville College, he and two friends sold possessions to fund a Mexico mission trip, distributing 20,000 Spanish tracts. At Moody Bible Institute, he met Drena Knecht, marrying her in 1960; they had three children. In 1961, after smuggling Bibles into the USSR and being deported, he founded OM in Spain, growing it to 6,100 workers across 110 nations by 2003, with ships like Logos distributing 70 million Scriptures. Verwer authored books like Out of the Comfort Zone, spoke globally, and pioneered short-term missions. He led OM until 2003, then focused on special projects in England. His world-map jacket and inflatable globe symbolized his passion for unreached peoples.