The multi-talented, Dr Rakar Williams
October 30, 2019
The success he attained belies the struggles he endured while growing up in two contrasting places – Greenwich Town in Kingston and the rural community of Lluidas Vale in St Catherine.
Dr. Rakar Williams, born in Greenwich Town, is now an accomplished accountant, minister of religion, scholar, Justice of the Peace, business leader, Lay Magistrate, and author of two books.
His early years were spent with a single mother, who eked out a living as a factory worker and household helper.
Dr. Williams recalled that, like some of his childhood peers, he sometimes stayed away from classes at Greenwich Town All Age School.
“I walked all over Kingston and did several pranks to solicit money from adults,” he told The Beacon. “Most of these moneys go to waste buying food items that I craved for – without my mother knowing that.”
At 11 years old, Dr. Williams relocated with his mother Nadeen Gayle to Lluidas Vale district, where his father Vernon Williams lived. Both parents eventually got married.
Dr. Williams enrolled at Lluidas Vale Primary School, and subsequently attended Charlemont High where he served as Deputy Head Boy.
He recalled: “During high school, I did summer job and worked on weekends for most of fourth and fifth form at the home of a Chinese family, serving as the gardener, which included washing cars, cutting the lawn, and sweeping or removing grocery from the car.”
After leaving high school, Dr. Williams started working with the powerful conglomerate – GraceKennedy.
He served in different subsidiaries, and in posts such as Accounting Clerk, Accountant, and Head of the Pension Unit.
He later transition into the public sector, working as Director of Finance and Administration at the Creative Production and Training Centre (CPTC).
Dr. Williams, in strengthening his credentials, also obtained a Doctorate in Business Administration.
He eventually returned to the private sector where he did a seven-year stint as Financial Controller at the TIP Friendly Society.
He is now Finance Manager for the Jamaica Mortgage Bank.
Dr. Williams is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica (ICAJ), having completed his accounting training in December 2004.
He currently serves as Secretary of the ACCA local chapter, and is a member of the Public Sector Committee of the ICAJ.
Dr. Williams, in the meantime, has never been all about dollars and cents.
He is giving back to society as a Justice of the Peace for St. Catherine; he is also a member of the Lay Magistrates Association.
Furthermore, Dr. Williams is a Volunteer Chaplin for the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and a Marriage Officer for the island of Jamaica.
He is also Board Director of the Model Church of God group.
He is a past Board Member of Merl Grove High School, where he served as President of the Parent Teachers Association for four years.
THE CHURCH
Dr. Williams, in the meantime, has never stood on the religious borderline.
He grew up singing in the church, and eventually plunged headlong into Christianity when he was baptized at age 15.
Dr. Williams was appointed Lay Minister at his church in 2002; he became an ordained Reverend in 2008.
Always enthusiastic about learning, he obtained a Master of Arts in Pastoral Psychology and Counselling. He also holds a Doctorate of Ministry degree.
Dr. Williams currently serves as Overseer and Senior Pastor for the Model Church of God, which is headquartered in his native Greenwich Town. The church also has branches in St. Andrew and Clarendon.
The clergyman, in the meantime, prides himself as a family man.
He got married in his early 20s to the love of his life – Joy Roberts, General Manager of Jamaica Package and a former Financial Controller at Red Stripe.
Their friendship began while they were children in Greenwich Town; both of them actually were baptized at the same time.
Dr Williams recalled: “Although I moved to the country (Lluidas Vale), our friendship remained intact, but it was after high school that we had our first date, and then began to make plans for marriage.”
The couple has produced three children – the first of them being a third-year student at the University of the West Indies.
THE BOOKS
Dr. Williams’ passion, it seems, is endless.
He told The Beacon that his passion for writing was nurtured by his late pastor – Reverend Dr. Jennifer Keene Gordon, an English Language teacher.
“She wanted to review my first book; unfortunately she never did,” he said.
Dr Williams, in November 2018, launched his first book – Governance: A Challenge to Small Churches; A Practical Guide to Church Administration.
Dr. Williams explained: “This book is geared towards helping leaders and prospective leaders of the church on administrative and governance issues. It is a scholarly work, as an offshoot of my doctoral dissertation.”
The second book – Extramarital Affair: A Dangerous Game Many People Play – was launched this month.
“Readers will find this book to be very dramatic, sensational, and insightful,” Dr. Williams said. “The book covers some very deep relationship issues that many persons ignore, and these issues are supported with discussions of the cultural, theological, and counselling implications.”
Dr. Williams, in the meantime, told The Beacon that he wants to be remembered as a ‘dedicated, hardworking servant of God’ who empowers others to fulfill their dreams.
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