Bazaar Story: Ministério JEAME

The path that landed 16-year-old Maria in prison as a teenager was riddled with poor choices that hurt her family. But after hearing the gospel through JEAME’s ministry, Maria’s life was forever changed. As she reflected upon the forgiveness God had extended to her, the teen realized she needed to ask her father for forgiveness.

Unsure how her father would respond, but confident this was the right step forward, Maria sought her dad’s forgiveness. But rather than hearing angry words, her father asked for her forgiveness—for the ways he felt he failed as a parent.

With tears of joy, father and daughter embraced forgiveness and a new beginning in their relationship together.

Ministério JEAME conducts evangelistic services in 13 juvenile detention centers in São Paulo, Brazil, reaching 1,000 teenagers like Maria each week. JEAME is located blocks from a drug-infested area of S ã o Paulo named Cracolândia. Through JEAME’s outreach, the lives of teenagers are transformed by the gospel.

In 2021, JEAME opened a community center to minister to teens released from prison. The center allows JEAME to support teens through a barber training program and bakery course. These new job skill programs impact the lives of teens by providing a source of income, community connection, and an encounter with God.