Jesus Loves Minors (JEAME): Restoring hope for at-risk youth

JEAME is a remarkable ministry in São Paulo, Brazil that has been faithfully serving at-risk and incarcerated youth for over 40 years.

JEAME conducts evangelistic services in 13 juvenile detention centers in São Paulo, Brazil, reaching 1,000 teenagers each week. JEAME is located blocks from a drug-infested area of São Paulo named Cracolândia. JEAME conducts regular street evangelism and prayer walks through the neighborhood. Follow-ups from these efforts include Christian discipleship and vocational training.

One powerful success story is that of Pastor Ivan Fernandes. As a teenager, Ivan was incarcerated at the former FEBEM detention center, where JEAME volunteers shared the love of Christ with him. Ivan surrendered his life to Jesus and is now a pastor, powerfully preaching the same message of hope that changed his own life.

JEAME’s Papo de Responsa project also provides job training, life skills, and discipleship to youth transitioning out of detention centers. Examples of this would include their barber training program and their professional baking course. These courses teach the tools needed to find legitimate employment and avoid falling back into cycles of crime and addiction.