Operation Mobilisation
|
|
Operation Mobilisation is a Evangelical Christian organisation founded by George Verwer to mobilise young people to live and share the Gospel of Jesus. OM, as it is known, started in Mexico and had spread to Europe and India by 1963. It is perhaps most famous for using large ships as floating bookshops, bringing Christian literature to countries where such materials are often censored. In addition to their primary role, the ships are been involved in disaster relief, medical care and education around the world.
| Contents |
About OM
OM is currently Working in more than 83 countries around the world along with two ocean-going ships, Operation Mobilisation seeks to demonstrate and proclaim the love of God. In every situation OM teams adapt to the local culture and situation, finding the best ways to share Jesus.
- Through literature
- The creative arts
- friendship
- Bible studies
- videos and cassette tapes
- correspondence courses
- relief and development work
- and much, much more.
The people working for Operation Mobilisation tell people how their lives have been changed… and how others can also meet Jesus.
Wherever possible, Operation Mobilisation works in partnership with the local church, encouraging and supporting local believers. Where there is no church… we seek to plant churches.
History
Operation Mobilisation traces its roots to the prayers of an American housewife. In the 1950s, Dorothea Clapp began to pray faithfully for the students in her local High School. She asked God to touch the world through the lives of those young people. And God answered her prayers!
Mrs Clapp gave a Gospel of John to one of the students, who later gave his life to the Lord at a Billy Graham meeting. That young man was George Verwer, the founder and international director of Operation Mobilisation.
At college, George and two friends met regularly to pray. They became burdened by the spiritual needs of Mexico. In 1957 the three friends sold some of their own possessions to raise money and gave up their summer holiday to distribute Gospels and other Christian literature in Mexico. The friends returned the following summer and the next…
When they graduated in 1960, George and his friends traveled to Europe. They began work in Spain, sharing the Gospel and distributing literature. But the task of reaching the whole of Europe seemed overwhelming.
George and his small team realised that God’s plan was to mobilise His church to reach the nations. As they began to share their vision, hundreds of Christians responded. So Operation Mobilisation was born.
By 1963, 2,000 Christians had joined summer outreach teams in Europe. At the same time, the first year teams moved into the Indian sub-continent and the Muslim world. Their commitment was to reach those who had never heard the Gospel.
Such simple beginnings have shaped OM ever since. Today over 3000 OMers are working in 83 countries bringing God's unchanging truth to literally millions every year.
Core Values
- Knowing and glorifying God
- Living in submission to God's Word
- Being people of grace & integrity
- Serving sacrificially
- Loving & valuing people
- Evangelising the world
- Reflecting the diversity of the body of Christ
- Global intercession
- Esteeming the church
The Ships
The OM ships visit port cities throughout the world, supplying vital literature resources, encouraging cross-cultural understanding, training young people for more effective life and service, providing needed relief and sharing a message of hope in God wherever there is opportunity.
Since 1970, OM’s ships have visited over 435 different ports in 140 nations around the globe. On average, 1 million visitors are welcomed on board every year!
In total, over 30 million visitors have come aboard to purchase from the selection of 4,000 titles available. Titles cover a wide range of subjects, such as science, sports, hobbies, cookery, the arts, philosophy, medicine and children’s books, as well as faith in God and living life in God’s service. The books have been carefully chosen to be of interest to every member of the family, and with the educational, social and moral needs of the local community in mind. Books are on offer at a fraction of their retail value, while in certain ports, books are also donated. Additionally, every visitor to an OM ship (where possible) is given the opportunity to take a piece of free literature which explains more about the need for a right relationship with God.
The work of the first ship, started publicly in 1971. It was used until 1988, and in that time visited 103 countries. During that time an estimated 7.48 million people visited the on-board book exhibition. Over 5 million books were sold. Throughout this time the ships were staffed by a international mixture of young volunteers and professional sailors.
In 1977, OM added a second ship. Originally built in 1914, it is the worlds oldest active ocean going passenger ship, and is still in service as of 2004. It takes its name from the Greek name 'doulos' meaning 'servant'.
In 1988 disaster struck and OMS first ship ran aground on rocks off Tierra del Fuego, Chile under horrendous weather conditions. The ship was lost, but all the crew members were rescued. It was later replaced by OMs third ship which entered service in 1990.
On 2nd April 2004, the 12,000 ton ferry Norrona I was purchased as replacement to the third OM Ship. It is set to enter service during 2005.
Facts
- OMs second ship is the worlds largest floating bookshop
Sources
(Source: The Logos story. Elaine Rhoton)
External links
- OM.org - the official website of Operation Mobilisation (http://www.om.org/)
- Ships.de - The official website of the ships of OM (http://www.ships.de/)