Our Leadership

Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 1 cor 4:2 esv

Ernel Henry.    

President & Founding Board Member.        

Why Jamaica?

Why this huge and awesome project? It is a very long story, but here is a short consideration. I knew there was a need while I was having a conversation with the president of the Bible College in Mandeville, a few years ago. I was telling him that I noticed only a few men in the churches. I confessed that while I should be worshipping, I found my self counting the number of men and young boys in the church. He said it was hard when there were not enough men to lead and to set examples. His conclusion to the discussion had me thinking about it for years.
“I feel sorry for the young ladies. With no men in the Church to choose from, they have to choose from the bad boys on the streets, for a mate. It never work very well.”

Ernel Henry

So just who am I? I am one who want to see young boys get an opportunity to grow up into good men. I am a retired high school teacher.

I was born in Mt Pleasant, in the parish of Manchester in 1942. I grew up there. After passing my Jamaica Local Examinations, and a short stint at the Post Office, I went to school in the United States. I returned to Jamaica almost every summer while I was in college and university, to work with the churches. During that time I worked only with the adults.


In 1983, a friend and I started doing VBS at Mt Pleasant. Over time, it came to involve over ten churches. Over the years, the need of a home for boys became more evident. Problems in the cities led to killings and general law breaking by the gangs. Boys were intimidated, with no safe place to go. A boy’s home in the country seemed to be the best solution. When I suggested the idea to some of the ministers in Jamaica they all said it was good idea.

When my son and I visited several children’s home and one boy’s home, they all told us that there was a great need for more homes. All but one of the board members have been to Jamaica to do VBS, some for years. They have seen the need and agreed that the project is a good thing. I hope you will help with this needed venture as well. EH

Ernel Henry

President & Board Member

Michael Rooney

Board Member

 Michael is a first generation American raised by a single mother & grandmother both from the Caribbean island nation of Barbados. He met and married his wife Amanda while attending university. Michael & Amanda have been married for 26 years and have four children: Mason (Marine), Connor (Theology major), Kate (Psychology major) and Ethan (high school footballer). Michael previously served as a deacon & elder and has been actively serving in the student ministry for over 24 years. He graduated Howard Payne University with a degree in Business Administration & Computer Information Systems with a specialization in Management. He is the Director of Global Sales for Konica Minolta.
Michael loves the people and culture of Jamaica having visited the island multiple times. He is honored to serve on a board with a mission to help provide a home to those who need it most. 

Alex Henry

Board Member

Alex Henry's first visit to Jamaica was when he was too young to remember. He's returned many times, whether visiting family, helping with summer VBS programs, and once or twice for vacation. In 2018, Alex and Ernel visited a number of boys homes in Jamaica for the purpose of understanding the need and getting an initial sense of the cost and requirements for operating a similar home. It was a delight to see some that were being operated so capably in partnership with the national child protection agency. A consistent message during those visits was that Jamaica could use more--that there was a need to be filled.
During the day, Alex works as a program manager at a large healthcare IT company. He hopes to bring his background as a large program organizer to this mission. He hopes to combine that with his understanding that things work differently in Jamaica to bring this mission to a point where it is successfully and consistently providing safety and care for some children in need. 

Deb Ellerbrook

Board Member

Deb Bryan Ellerbrook first visited Jamaica in the mid 2000s with the Jamaica VBS team from Town and Country Christian church. She returned just about every year after her first trip to share the love of Jesus with the children and enjoy the beautiful country. Unfortunately the covid pandemic and other circumstances have stopped these regular visits from the VBS team, but she still has a heart for the people of Jamaica and especially it's children. Over the years she got to see young people who were in her classes grow into adults and has always wanted to see them prosper in their lives and walk with the Lord. She is looking forward to seeing how the Lord works in the lives of young people and others in the community as the vision of the Boys Home progresses.


Randy Ferguson

Board Member

Bethany Ayers

Previous Board Member

Rick Maples

Previous Board Member