When MKs Kristin and Eddy Alexander invited Jackson to youth group, it was hard for many to foresee the change God would one day make in this Brazilian teen’s life. Jackson, along with his friend Bruno, attended youth group mostly for the games and girls, all the while lobbing sarcastic comments at Kristin and Eddy’s uncle, Shawn, as he led the devotionals.
Still, Jackson and Bruno continued to come. Because of his spiritist beliefs, Jackson kept rejecting salvation. He and Bruno even broke into the home of their MK friend, Ann Jewell, while her family was on furlough. But after three years of hearing God’s Word, Jackson could not turn away from the Holy Spirit’s call. He gave his life to Jesus Christ in 2000.
His growth was immediate as he was discipled by Kristin and Eddy’s father and uncle, Ed and Shawn Alexander. Jackson became involved with Sunday School and was soon teaching Junior Church. Within months, he realized God was calling him into ministry, specifically missions. He also approached Ann Jewell’s father, Mike, to ask if he could date Ann. Knowing Jackson’s not-so-distant past, Mike responded with a resounding “NO!”
But Jackson steadily progressed in his Christian growth and in 2003 gained admission to BMM’s seminary in south Brazil. He became a leader at college, participating in many ministry opportunities. Seeing Jackson’s now-solid Christian testimony, Mike Jewell willingly gave consent for Jackson to date Ann.
Jackson and Ann married in 2005 and marked Jackson’s seminary graduation in 2007, shown above. (Jackson held the highest grade point average of his classmates and was voted by his peers and faculty members as Student of the Year.) The couple plans to move to the United States so Jackson can study camping ministry and one day reach out to teens as he himself was reached.
[Editor’s note: Bruno also gave his life to Jesus Christ in 2000, within a day of Jackson’s salvation. At the time, neither was aware of the decision the other had made. Bruno has also matured in his Christian walk and is serving in his local church.]