About Us.

Won By One To Jamaica is a ministry made up of Jamaican Staff, American Staff, Board Members plus hundreds of volunteers and supporters from across the US all with one goal: to see lives changed and empowered by Jesus in the Harmons Valley.

Our History

Won By One To Jamaica was founded in 1989 by Henry Shaffer, who came to Jamaica to help with hurricane relief. He unequivocally states that God led him to the remote community of Harmons.

Back in the early years, most people couldn’t have found Harmons if they had tried due to the nonexistence of passable roads. By simple word of mouth, and through friends joining him, Henry began to lead two groups per year to Harmons.

Now WBOTJ welcomes over 800 volunteers from the United States each year. We believe that proximity provides the most lasting impact, so all of our volunteers live, eat, and sleep within the community they came to serve. The ministry desires to consistently show Jamaicans and Americans, through words and actions, that they are loved and that they have worth and value as ones who bear the image of God.

Our Statement of Faith

We believe in the one true God who lives eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

He created, sustains, rules, judges, and redeems the people of the world made in His image yet corrupted by sin.

Through divine inspiration, the written word of God, both the Old and New Testament, gives us a fully trustworthy account for faith and conduct.

Jesus Christ, who was incarnated and born of the Virgin Mary, lived a truly human life, yet without sin.

His atoning sacrifice of dying on the cross in our place reconciled us with God and defeated evil.

Only by God’s grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, can we as sinners, be justified.

The Holy Spirit leads us to repentance and unites us with Christ through new birth.

The church, the entire body of all believers, is given life and gifts by the Spirit to worship God, proclaim the Gospel, and promote justice and love until the personal and visible return of Jesus Christ when all people will be raised to judgment and a new heaven and new earth will be established.

Initiatives

Won By One To Jamaica empowers individuals by fostering genuine connections and providing valuable resources through education, medical, economic, and spiritual initiatives. By combining compassion and support, we enhance lives through authentic relationships that strive to uplift and empower individuals to achieve their full potential.

Medical

Giving residents of the Harmons Valley access to health care and providing preventative and wellness training to live a healthy life.

Education

Making the education process available and equipping each student with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes necessary to lead fulfilling lives.

Leadership Development

Equipping people to grow through leadership development and discipleship, which allows them to acquire skills necessary to take action towards meeting their needs and goals.

Economic Development

Providing employment and business opportunities for people of Harmons Valley to empower themselves and their families.