From Generation to Generation

Ships | Debbie Meroff

In 1970 George Verwer boarded a small Danish vessel and dedicated the newly-purchased Logos to God’s service. This February, 39 years later, George’s 18-year-old grandson was one of the new recruits who flew to Denmark to join the recently-launched Logos Hope.

Back home in the USA, Benjamin Verwer’s son Jonathan had finished high school and worked as a full-time welder in his home state of Idaho. He applied to a welding college for further training, but decided he wasn’t yet ready to start a career. While considering his options he talked to several of the young men who had served as George Verwer’s travel assistants. They had warmly endorsed the ship experience and one even offered to contribute to Jonathan’s support when he decided to sign up.

Like everyone else on board, Jonathan stepped into a full time job. Although he was hoping to work as a welder in the engine department, there happened to be too many welders when he joined. So instead he trained to be a watchkeeper, and along with learning to keep an eagle eye on the engine room’s dials and gauges, Jonathan has tackled a few other choice assignments like cleaning out an old sewage tank! However, he is now also being given opportunities for welding.

After Denmark, the Logos Hope paid visits to Sweden, the Netherlands, Scotland, and then the Faroe Islands before returning to several more ports in the UK and Ireland. So far Jonathan’s favourite place was the Faroe Islands, where he and a buddy climbed a mountain on the last day, got lost and only just made it back to the ship in time to report for sailing!  Sailing actually isn’t Jonathan’s favourite activity as it makes him feel claustrophobic. But he says sharing his small cabin belowdecks with men from New Mexico, Brazil and South Africa isn’t really a problem. They’re rarely all in it at the same time!

Even though he’s only been on board a short time, Jonathan finds himself looking differently at some aspects of life. “Prior to coming to the ship I’d never contemplated missions as a career. I had a rebuilt VW bug, money that I’d saved, acceptance to college, a plan. But now that’s completely demolished. The GO [OM entry] Conference was the best experience I’ve had so far for getting me excited about missions. The ship is one more step.

“Things I’ve learned so far? The need to have more self discipline, to be more adaptable, and to know the Word a lot better. Would I recommend the ship to other young people? Yes. I’d say it’s a necessity to get out of your box, your own little world.” 
Jonathan generally keeps a low profile regarding his famous family connections, but when the Logos Hope was in Belfast, Northern Ireland, this May, he consented to participate in a live link to a fundraising event in the USA. Quite a number of the San Diego, California, audience were surprised when the young Verwer appeared on the screen that night, but none were more delighted than his father and grandfather, who both “happened” to be there!

Now that OM has passed the 50-year mark, a growing wave of second and third generation OMers are throwing their own unique efforts into building God’s Kingdom. Justin Lovett, son of Central Asian pioneers Pam and Dave Lovett, is one of Jonathan’s shipmates. So is Francois Vosloo who is named for his father, an OM Associate Director--plus no less than twelve others belonging to OM’s next generation! The Doulos also carries its share of OM sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters--as do fields all over the globe. 

The influence of individuals extends from generation to generation. Let’s hope that the passion of those now serving the Lord will continue to inspire the men and women who follow after them.

Credit: Debbie Meroff
© 2009 Debbie Meroff