Every EdenMade Night begins the same way: with prayer. Our team gathers, connects, and intercedes for the women we will meet that night. It’s a rhythm of community - women supporting women, strengthening one another before we go. Usually, I serve on the intercession team, staying back to pray while others enter the clubs. But last week, for the first time since 2021, I joined the outreach team walking inside.

This September marks one year since our Bible Study first began, and we can’t help but celebrate God’s faithfulness. What started after nearly two years of prayer—asking God where, when, and how to begin—has now become a life-giving rhythm of gathering, studying, and walking with Jesus together.

Every August, students across San Francisco pack their backpacks and prepare for a new school year. For many, it’s a time of excitement: fresh pencils, new teachers, and a clean slate. But for the families we walk with at Because Justice Matters, the start of school often carries much more than supplies.

It carries the weight of trauma, the complexity of poverty, and the hope that this year might be different.

At BJM, we believe that education is more than just curriculum—it’s about restoring dignity and rebuilding opportunity. And that makes educational equity a justice issue.

This summer, our IGNITE high school and college students stepped away from the busyness of city life and into a week of freedom, fun, and faith-filled encounters with Jesus. For many of them, this was more than just a trip out of San Francisco—it was a chance to breathe deeply, rest fully, and be reminded that they are deeply loved by God.

When we think about mentorship, we often focus on the technical skills we can teach, the knowledge we can impart, or the goals we can help our mentees achieve. But sometimes, the most powerful moments of growth and transformation happen not in the dance studio, but in the spaces where we teach courage, confidence, and connection.

You don’t have to look further than our youth group to see the power of a spark.  Aptly named Ignite, high school students gather weekly for community, devotions, and prayer.  It’s your typical youth group night. 

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year, filled with wonderful memories. I was born in Colombia, where we like to joke that Christmas begins on November 1st and doesn’t end until January 10th. The lights, the food, the laughter, the dancing, and the time spent with family and friends make it truly magical. But if there’s one thing my family taught me about Christmas, it’s this: the value of hospitality and generosity.

At our annual winter dance showcase, Mia stood backstage, feeling the weight of her nerves settle heavily in her chest. This was her first time performing in front of an audience, and she could barely catch her breath. Weeks of rehearsals had led to this moment, but the fear of making a mistake felt insurmountable. Her hands trembled as she stood among the other dancers, all of them ready to take the stage, but for Mia, the idea of stepping into the spotlight felt like a mountain too steep to climb.

Another beautiful summer arrived and another opportunity for summer camp came with it. Laughter echoed through the trees, friendships bloomed under starry skies, and every challenge turned into a victory dance. That’s exactly what our incredible group of young people experienced at this year’s summer camp!

If you’ve been watching the news for the past year or so, you know San Francisco is in a strange state right now. There are narratives of crime, recession, vacancy, and hopelessness.

And yet, God is at work here.

In our pursuit to empower youth for a bright future, we are inspired by the story of Nicole.* Nicole, a member of our Azul Leadership Cohort, is a young woman who has a deep desire to make an impact on the lives of urban youth. She has been growing in her relationship with God and is exploring her independence, identity, and calling. Nicole has been attending City College in San Francisco and is eager to discover the plans that God has in store for her future in ministry

At BJM, we understand the power of belonging and community building. Our staff is intentionally present, always on the sidelines cheering on students at sporting events, creative performances, and other important milestones. It's these consistent interactions of love and belonging that make our youth group, IGNITE, feel like a family to our students.

As we approach the holiday season, it's a perfect moment to pause and reflect on the abundance of blessings that God has graciously poured out on our ministry this year. At Because Justice Matters, we’ve witnessed His favor in ways that have left us in awe—doors have opened, hearts have been healed, and lives have been transformed.

Stepping onto the stage with a sense of purpose, the dance students and Azul Cohort shared their hearts whether through dancing, spoken word, or video montage. The connection with the audience was palpable, resulting in enthusiastic applause that acknowledged each performer's courage and authenticity. However, a different kind of magic was taking shape backstage.

Empowering young adults through creativity is a transformative journey that can bring forth resilience, strength, and a newfound sense of purpose. As young people delve into leadership and creativity programs like the Because Justice Matters Azul cohort, they embark on a path of self-discovery, reflection, and empowerment.

One of the many beautiful things about living in San Francisco is that you are “one skip and a hop” away from wine country. This past year, I had the privilege to go to Sonoma during the early stages of the harvest season. As you can imagine, there is an abundance of grapes on every vine. Some branches were too heavy for all the grapes that the vine provided, so inevitably they ended up on the ground.

We met *Mia for the first time (name changed for privacy) in the club during our Outreach Night in December. We gave her a gift bag and shared that we were available to connect outside the club and provide support. "This is amazing that this exists, this is so sweet that you do this, I'd love to meet up with you guys," she said with warmth and openness. We offered to pray with her and she accepted.

If you know anything about Hispanic culture, it is that the food is not just for sustenance, it’s a love language. Whether from moms, dads, “hijos,” “tias,” or “abuelas,” everything is made with love and care. It is an important way to pass down traditions from generation to generation. And for immigrant communities, to remember their homeland.

Here in our city, we are blessed to have diversity from so many countries in Latin America. As we continue highlighting stories for Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to share some beautiful words from Nelida, one of the moms from Peru. Enjoy her words as well as a delicious Peruvian recipe.

For years, we dreamt with God about a ministry that would provide a space where system-impacted young people who are transitioning into adulthood can participate in holistic development. We are thrilled to say that the first Azul leadership cohort was launched on September 5th! As we near the end of our first semester with the cohort, we celebrate how clear God’s purpose and plan has been in bringing these three specific young adults to journey and growth together.