Why We Do What We Do 

Won By One To Jamaica was founded by 1989 by Henry Shaffer. A teacher and contractor, Henry went to Jamaica to help with relief after Hurricane Gilbert devastated the island.
One of the places he visited was the small, remote village of Harmons.
With a desire to make an impact on a small community, Henry admits that God led him to Harmons.

If you had been to Harmons in the early years, you would understand why it could have only been by God's leading that Won By One To Jamaica ended up there. Not many would intentionally come to Harmons -- even if they could have found it. Henry began to take one or two groups a year. Those two groups turned into four which evolved into nine. There was never any intention of starting a large ministry. Henry's plan was simply to stay two steps behind God's leading. 

Most recently, around 25 weeks of teams plan to serve in Harmons during one calendar year. That translates to over 700 volunteers coming to this small community and also means there will be around 50 houses built this year. But the ministry is far more about developing relationships with people than about the houses that are built.

We have learned that ministry -- true, impactful and lasting ministry -- is often messy. But it is miraculous how God uses people, baggage and all, whose lives are open to being changed and who are willing to be an agent of change in the lives of others. We have observed the disconnect that many other mission groups have with the people they are trying to reach. This is usually a direct result of a lack of proximity. Our teams live, eat, work, sleep and worship right in the midst of the community. Team members spend nearly every waking minute with the people they have come to serve.  

Won By One To Jamaica attempts to combat the often legalistic religious community found in Jamaica with God's grace and unconditional love. By serving the unlovely, uncared for, and unwanted, we see ourselves as earning the right to openly share our faith...one-to-one.