At the women’s prison in the state of Goias, Brazil, a group of Christian women implemented a missionary initiative, moving both inmates and those who participated deeply. Inspired by the example of Jesus, they washed the prisoners’ feet, shared the holy communion, and in their own words provided a space “not only did they eat, but they would sit at the table and belong.”
The initiative was led by Pastor Shaila Manzoni of the IDE Church in Brasilia. He has been doing this type of activity in prison forces for many years through the organization she founded.
“Jesus invites us to live the gospel through concrete actions,” explained Manzoni. “Washing the feet is a calling. Jesus breaks the logic of master slavery and begins a new circular order in a kingdom that is not disposable,” she said.
During the event, women prayed, sang, shared God’s Word and celebrated the Lord’s Eve. Some inmates danced, cried and received prayers, but volunteers praised God from outside the bar. Some of them were also baptized as official expressions of their faith.
Dreams have changed mission
NGO AME was born from a personal dream that Manzoni pastor had in 2018. Two years later, in 2020, the first visit to the prison took place, marking the beginning of various social projects with reintegration of incarcerated women and the dignified.
Since then, organizations have developed actions that provide material and emotional support, training courses, legal assistance, and mental support programs. Over five years at AME, they washed over 800 feet, were baptized by 202 women, distributed 2,160 hygiene and food kits, and promoted 555 legal consultations. They also united the “god mother” and women who were not visited, who wrote letters to them to provide emotional support.
“Love doesn’t ask who deserves it, but who needs it,” the pastor said. “They need us,” she added.
Models of actual reintegration
The NGO also received repayment of the 850 women sentenced to prison in the Luzianian forces between 2020 and 2024. According to Brazil’s National Secret Penalty Policy (Senappen), the recidivism rate, at just 0.35%, was well below 42%.
“The world measures in numbers, but this is more than just a statistic. It’s evidence of a possible pathway,” Manzoni said. “A safe society does not imprison more, it is a choice to reintegrate, rebuild, and not give up on its people,” she concluded.
It was originally published in Diario Cristiano, the Spanish version of Christian Daily International.
