Creative ministry ideas at TeenStreet

As part of the TeenStreet conference in Germany this year, 2,000 teens hit the streets with:

Teens wait as a local man fills out a postcard; postage was paid by TeenStreet.

• drama
• music
• street dancing
• face-painting
• nail painting
• chatrooms
• prayer walking
• handing out roses 
• free postcards 

In partnership with the city of Offenburg, an attempt was even made to beat the record for Germany’s longest coffee table.  TeenStreet served 625 tables with coffee and cake provided by a local bakery and many encouraging conversations were started.

“We want Christians to be involved in society, making an impact by serving, being an example and sharing the love of God in practical ways," said Clarion Samuels of OM Germany, "Young people play a big part in changing society with the love of God.”

The City of Offenburg was so impressed by the event that they invited TeenStreet back to the city  for two more nights. It was not the world record that impressed the officials.  Clarion says, “They were impressed by the discipline and love the teenagers shared with other people and how they served the city. Through the teenagers of TeenStreet, locals have come to view teenagers in a new way.”

You can participate in creative ministries on a short-term mission trip.  See creative trips available here.

George Verwer: "Please don't pray..."

Straightforward George Verwer, founder of OM, has a word for you about Transform 2011.

pray for Teenstreet

The Teenstreet conference kicks off this weekend in Germany and runs through August 8. Please pray as young people from all over Europe connect to one another and to the Lord at this gathering. For more information, see the video here:

What is the BE?

OM USA is the host for BE, an event for those seeking God's purpose for their lives. Learn more and get a registration form on the BE Facebook page.

Be from OM USA Video on Vimeo.

pastors and youth leaders: take your group to the BE

Andrew Scott, COO of OM USA, talks to youth leaders about the benefits of taking your group to the BE. Learn more and get a registration form on the BE Facebook page.

What is BE? from OM USA Video on Vimeo.

Pray for Mission Retreat this weekend

The Journey Deepens is a retreat for those interested in mission but not sure which step to take next. It is being held on the OM USA campus this weekend. Please be in prayer for those attending. Ask that the Lord would use this time to direct each one in His will. Thanks.

The Journey Deepens: a retreat

If you have a heart for mission and are beginning to sense the Lord prompting you to take the next steps, you may want to attend a weekend retreat called The Journey Deepens. OM is hosting the March event on our Atlanta-area campus. For information see the Journey Deepens website.

Passion 2010 crushes injustice

In Atlanta at the Passion Conference:
22,000 students (ages 18-25) raised
$668,000 for global projects
One couple matched that --
bringing the grand total to
over $1.3 million.

For OM, that meant not just one but TWO Dalit education centers will be built in India. The Dalits are one of the world's most oppressed people groups. In their culture, they drink out of clay cups and when they are finished smash the cups, so no one else will be made "unclean" by coming into contact with them. Passion attendees paid $30 for two cups, one to take home as a prayer reminder, and another to break as a prophetic act toward the future of the Dalit people, thereby helping to crush injustice. Proceeds went toward the Dalit education centers, where Dalit children are being equipped and empowered. Here's more from the Dalit cup crushing experience at Passion:

OM at Urbana: Anna's story

Michael Kaspar interviews Anna Lyman about how she found OM through the Urbana mission conference. See more of Anna's story here.

OM at Urbana: Iraqi Bibles

OM VP Michael Kaspar meets with two Urbana participants in St. Louis this week. You can join the students who are buying Bibles for those in Iraq. Iraqi Bibles are $2 each. Just use this form.

Getting ready for Urbana

It's almost time for Urbana 09 and OM USA staffers have been creating the OM booth, a large mixed media display now affectionately termed The Shroud of Tyrone. Read why on our Facebook photo album.

Future of the Dalits: a featured outreach at 2010 Passion Conference

In January, thousands of college students from all over the world will worship together in Atlanta as part of the 2010 Passion Conference. OM USA will be there to meet with participants as they begin to explore possibilities for ministry and mission. Also, one of the ministries of OM India will be featured as a possible outlet for students to sow into financially. Passion wants 2500 students to give $30 each to get an education center built for the Dalit people in India. Dalit, pronounced "Dah-LEET", actually means "untouchable"; Dalits are considered the lowest part of India's caste system and suffer great oppression and persecution.

But there is hope. Thanks to OM India, the first Dalit high school graduation was held last spring. More centers are needed so more Dalit children can experience the freedom and dignity education allows. Please pray one of these centers will be funded through the efforts of the Passion Conference.

Hear powerful mission speakers, get a free book for you, and shop for Christmas

The World Mission Conference continues at First Baptist Atlanta, home of Dr. Charles Stanley. OM's largest book table display of the year is set up near the rotunda and is offering select titles for free. Stop by the book tables during these times:

4-9 pm TONIGHT:
(Note: Dr. Stanley is NOT speaking tonight, Wednesday)
Start with dinner at the International Food Bazaar from 5-6:30 pm in Faith Hall. Then hear from two of FBC Atlanta's missionaries and end the evening with international desserts at the mission display tables. Make sure you browse OM books. Inflatable globes and globe jackets will also be available.

8:30 am-1:30 pm Sunday:
Dr. Charles Stanley preaching
Hear Dr. Stanley's message on missions at either 9 or 10:45 am. Hear missionaries in Sunday School classes during either hour. And finish your Christmas shopping early. OM prices are often less than retail and proceeds benefit mission work around the world.

We look forward to seeing you there! Here are directions to the church. For more information on scheduling see the FBC World Mission Conference calendar.

George Verwer receives Lifetime of Service Award from The Mission Exchange

OM Founder George Verwer was recently honored in St. Louis as only the third recipient of the Lifetime of Service Award. This award is given by The Mission Exchange, a meta-mission group that facilitates partnership and professional training among mission leaders. OM USA VP Grant Blair said of the event, "It was inspiring to me to hear – both formally and informally – from participants in the audience how George had impacted their lives and/or their ministries in significant ways."

Along with the award, Verwer was given a commissioned portrait painted by Jim Meyer, a missionary with Greater Europe Mission. The two previous Lifetime of Service portraits were done in the traditional boardroom style but that just could not capture the essence of George the communicator. So this painting shows George holding a globe and wearing a globe jacket with a mic in his hand. The entire evening was a fitting tribute to a passionate mission innovator.

Do you want to hear where George is speaking next? Follow his travels and pray through the news items on his website.

[above, l-r:] Rick Hicks, OM North American Area Director,
looks on as George Verwer accepts the Lifetime of Service Award
from Steve Moore, President and CEO of The Mission Exchange.

[below:] Several OM USA leaders were with George
at the award ceremony, including (l-r)
Andrew Scott, Brian Mount, Rick Hicks, and Grant Blair.

World Premiere: George Verwer Tribute

Recently OM founder George Verwer was honored by The Mission Exchange with their Lifetime of Service Award. This video was created for that event, to introduce the audience to our beloved George. Thanks, George, for all you do and all you are.


George Verwer Tribute from OM USA Video on Vimeo.

George Verwer in the USA

OM founder George Verwer is currently touring the US. Here he speaks humbly of a recent conference he attended held by The Mission Exchange. He mentions how they gave "a special tribute to the ministry of Operation Mobilization". In a broad sense that's true, but the real honoree was George himself. The Mission Exchange awarded him their Lifetime of Service Award. We look forward to sharing more about this award, including the tribute video that was shown that evening. For now we leave you with George himself, encouraging as always and offering free books! Pray for George as he travels the US.

Travel Grants for Urbana 09

Planning to go to Urbana 09?
It's December 27-31 in
St. Louis, Missouri.

Need funds to get there?
Mission Network News
has a great article about
travel grants being provided
by the Christian Reformed
World Relief Committee (CRRC),
with links to Urbana registration
and the travel grant application.

Look for OM at Urbana 09.
And check out this video
about Anna Lyman,
an OM member who found
the right match for
her gifts at Urbana.