Making Justice Personal

ABOUT Justice & Mercy International

JMI is a faith-based organization that primarily works in Moldova in Eastern Europe and in the Amazon region of Brazil. Since 2008, we have promoted Gospel-centered life change for the poor, the vulnerable, and the forgotten. Our work is locally implemented through indigenous staff on the ground. In Moldova, we prioritize caring for children living in poverty and teens at risk of human trafficking. Through training and equipping jungle pastors in the Amazon, we help Gospel transformation happen in one of the world’s most remote and untouched places.

Jungle Pastors Conferences

Research has shown that 80% of the Brazilian state of Amazonas has no Gospel presence. But we have found resilient jungle pastors with the heart and the willingness to travel deep into the Amazon jungle with the Good News of Jesus. JMI’s Jungle Pastors Conferences empower these pastors to fulfill their mission to share the Gospel. The conferences have become the centerpiece of our work in the Amazon. Through these conferences, pastors receive biblical and practical training they cannot get anywhere else. The training is needed to ensure they have the roles to disciple others, grow churches, and run effective outreach ministries.

Transitional Living Homes

Moldova, one of Europe’s smallest and poorest countries, has alarmingly high rates of human trafficking. JMI’s Transitional Living Program targets those most at risk: vulnerable teenagers. This life-changing initiative, JMI’s most impactful and costly program, operates four homes—two for boys and two for girls. With a mission to raise a new generation of Christian leaders and protect teens from trafficking, our program provides a safe, nurturing environment and a path to a brighter future.

Children’s Leaders Conference

In the Amazon, 2 million people live in remote river villages scattered across vast jungles, with children among the most vulnerable. Many face poverty, lack of education, and early exposure to dangers like abuse, drugs, and promiscuity—some as young as age 12. Without guidance and protection, these children grow up in cycles of despair, often disconnected from hope and opportunities for a better life. Healthy local churches are essential for breaking these cycles, offering advocacy for children that encompasses sharing the Gospel while providing life-saving guidance and protection. However, many children’s ministry leaders in the jungle lack the resources and training to address the overwhelming challenges. Equipping and encouraging them is critical for building a new future for the children of the Amazon.

Transitional Living Home Improvements

JMI’s Transitional Living Program serves some of the world’s most vulnerable teenagers, offering them safety and hope in the face of significant risks, including trafficking and exploitation. These homes, which have been well-loved and heavily used over the years, are now in need of critical repairs. Roofs leak, plumbing falters, and common areas require upgrades to remain sufficient. The needed improvements to these homes will be a tangible expression of God’s love and care for these teenagers, demonstrating that they are seen, valued, and worthy of living in spaces that reflect dignity and security.

In-depth Theological Training

The western Amazonas region of Brazil is one of the least reached areas, with very few local churches and even fewer evangelical missionaries. Many people here still follow traditional animistic or indigenous beliefs. The churches that do exist struggle with a shortage of trained pastors, often depending on itinerant ministers who can only visit occasionally. Indigenous groups in the region have their own languages and cultures, and most have had little exposure to Christianity. Many river communities face extreme poverty, with limited access to healthcare, education, and infrastructure. The dense rainforests, winding rivers, and remote villages make transportation expensive and difficult, discouraging many missionaries. Yet, despite these obstacles, the need for the Gospel in this region is urgent. Developing local pastors is a way to offer not only spiritual hope and freedom but also a path to addressing systemic issues, all while respecting and valuing the traditions of the local communities.

Jungle Church on Mission

The vastness of the Amazon jungle and the remoteness of its communities present significant challenges, but the need for the Gospel is urgent. Through our Jungle Pastor Conferences, we currently train and equip over 300 pastors and their wives each year, building a growing network of churches and leaders. Many of these pastors have expressed a deep desire to lead their congregations on mission trips to unreached areas of the Amazon. These local churches are uniquely positioned to bring the Good News to their neighbors, but they often lack the resources to make these trips possible. To meet this need, we have committed to funding four jungle church mission trips each year. By providing access to The Discovery, our ministry boat, along with fuel and a crew, we enable local churches to take on this vital work.