Nazareth was a small village with a population of about 400 people. It had no notable wealth or political influence, and so it was deemed insignificant. As a result, there was much scepticism that the Messiah would emerge from such a place. When Jesus called Phillip, he went to share the good news with Nathanael: “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” John 1:45. Incredulous, Nathanael ventilated the belief of everyone, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (vs. 46)
Throughout our daily commute to school or work, we may have noticed them—men, young and old, wearing tattered and dirty clothes; fierce countenance and aggressive at times. They have decided, some by choice, others by circumstance, to make a profession as a Vehicle Visibility Specialist, also known as ‘Windscreen Wipers’. They are strategically located at every stoplight across city centres in Jamaica.
This was the first university that Dr. Howard Harvey, basketball coach at Wolmer’s Boys, attended when he dropped out of secondary school due to financial challenges within his family. In a household of nine children, all occupying a 10×10 room, they were packed tighter than a tin of mackerel. So, the street served as an extension of his home, becoming a place that schooled/socialised him. Thankfully, his leadership ability continued to grow.
While stationed at the stoplight by the YMCA in Kingston, Dr. Harvey says he would observe the activities on the other side of the fence that separated his business place from theirs. It was attractive to him, but it was viewed as an upper-class social club and unlikely to welcome Vehicle Visibility Specialists.
So, although the young Howard wasn’t yet a Christian, the Lord was certainly working things out in his favour. It took just one conversation with the right customer at the stoplight to suddenly open the door for him and his associates to gain access to the Y. The aim was to learn at least one skill. Most of his friends dropped out, but he remained, quickly learning all the sports, especially basketball.
WINNING SOULS, NOT GAMES
At age twenty, Dr. Harvey surrendered his life to the Nazarene! The question was asked, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” In the eyes of most Jamaicans, the question would be, “Can any good thing come from a windscreen wiper boy?” Howard was determined to answer this question with a resounding, “Yes.”
The Bible became his mentor and sole reference point. Like Daniel, he wanted to be more than a raggamuffin. By the grace of God, the former street boy funded his education straight up to the doctorate level and he now coaches the Wolmer’s Boys’ basketball team.
While traditional coaches focus on game-winning strategies, God instructed Dr. Harvey to focus on winning souls, instead of games.
His model is built on three pillars: the Bible, books, and basketball. So often, Christ is placed on the back burner, offering Him a half-hearted expression of thanks after a victory, but Dr. Harvey places Christ front and centre for all to see: “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 10:33.
He teaches these teenage boys how to study the Bible, how to pray, and how to fast! He says he is building a culture amongst them where prayer and fasting are normalised! This strategy has been so transformative that the team will initiate prayer sessions during difficult games, seeking help from the Holy Spirit.
UNDER-16 NATIONAL FINALS
Dr. Harvey recalls a particularly difficult game: last month’s Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) under-16 national finals against Manchester High. The stakes were high, and Wolmer’s Boys were the underdogs. Similar to David when he squared up against Goliath or Gideon and the Midianites. Like Joshua when he took Jericho or Moses when he defied Pharaoh and his army.
What Manchester High did not know was that the boys from Marescaux Road had unseen giants playing with them. During the game, the boys described “a rushing wind with them on the court”.
The electrifying game ended in a fifteen-point victory for Wolmer’s, leaving everyone in attendance speechless! Dr. Harvey’s success also extended to the under-19 team, who were able to topple the boys in blue from Old Hope Road—Jamaica College.
When Jesus, the Messiah, walked the earth, he was able to impact every soul that came into his sphere. Similarly, Dr. Harvey’s life goal is to effect positive change in the life of every young man that comes into his sphere of influence. His ministry is focused on men. He wants men to step up and into their roles as God-fearing priests and faith-building fathers; reduce their numbers on the streets and in prisons (including rum bars and race tracks); thus enabling Jamaican women to view Jamaican men as viable options for marriage.
Can anything good come from a wiper boy? You tell me!
A Christian for over six years and a systems administrator, when Omar C. Genas is not busy helping men understand, protect, and execute their God-given mandate, he is assisting businesses secure their IT systems.
