Ministry Update: JEAME (Brazil)

JEAME is a remarkable ministry in São Paulo, Brazil, that has been faithfully serving at-risk and incarcerated youth for over 40 years. It conducts evangelistic services in juvenile detention centers across São Paulo, Brazil, reaching over 1,000 teenagers each week.

JEAME’s ministry does not end with the detention centers, however. When young people are released, they are especially vulnerable. They face pressures from gangs, including “debts” incurred by these gangs “looking after” their families while they were incarcerated. Without direction, mentoring, and spiritual care, they can easily become trapped in the system yet again.

This is where JEAME’s ministry shines. JEAME comes alongside these young people with spiritual care, ongoing support, vocational training, and practical direction. The Papo de Responsa project provides job training, life skills, and discipleship to youth transitioning out of detention centers. Examples of this include its barber training program and professional baking course. These courses teach the tools needed to find legitimate employment and avoid falling back into cycles of crime and addiction.

Recently, a young man assisted by JEAME returned to a detention center to share his life story with the teenagers there. Today, under JEAME’s guidance, he is building new paths and using his own experience to help others reflect and see the hope only found in Christ. During the meeting, one of the teenagers commented about how important and impactful this talk had been, hearing from someone who had been like them and who now had hope and a future.

How to Pray for JEAME

• Please pray for the Lord to bless the preaching and teaching of His Word in the detention centers, giving many young people new hearts and putting His Spirit in them.
• Pray for the Lord to give the young people hunger and thirst for Him so that they seek fellowship and discipleship after they are released.
• Pray for provision and direction for young people who have been released so that they are able to build new lives that are honoring to the Lord.
• Pray for the Lord to continue to give JEAME wisdom and provision in caring for these young people.