Jeannine Brabon

Jeannine Brabon, the daughter of OMS missionaries Harold and Margaret Brabon, grew up in Colombia, South America. Following 16 years of ministry in Spain, she returned to Colombia in 1986 to teach biblical Hebrew and has pioneered an exciting prison ministry in Medellín.

Though few dared to visit Bellavista, Medellín’s maximum-security prison noted for daily murders, Jeannine and a team of Colombian evangelists carried the Gospel inside. As a result, countless lives have been transformed, and the murders have dissipated. In 1992, Jeannine began the Bellavista Prison Bible Institute. Through this discipleship program, more than 800 prisoners have graduated and now minister to other inmates in penitentiaries all across the nation. More than 40 men, once prisoners and now free, serve as pastors or evangelists all over Colombia; more than 20 have started churches. One is a missionary in Chile.

In addition to her prison ministry, Jeannine has taught biblical Hebrew at the One Mission Society-related Biblical Seminary of Colombia in Medellín for more than 26 years. She translated William LaSor’s two-volume Hebrew grammar and lessons into Spanish. She is also involved in evangelism, discipleship, and training national church leadership. She currently serves in leadership with Prison Fellowship Colombia in the regional office of Antioquia.

Prior to her work in Colombia, Jeannine was a member of the first OMS team to Spain, helping start two churches in Madrid. She taught several Bible courses for laymen and pastors.

During her college years, Jeannine spent a summer in Spain visiting three to six villages per day, endeavoring to leave a portion of the Bible in each home. Following graduation from Asbury University in 1971, she worked with university students in Colombia for 18 months. In 1981, she received a master of arts in religion degree in biblical studies from Asbury Theological Seminary. While serving in Madrid, Jeannine completed further courses in biblical Hebrew at the Complutense University of Madrid. In 2001, Jeannine received an honorary doctor of Christian ministries degree from Asbury University. In 2009, she received the World Methodist Council Peace Award. This award, the highest given by the Methodist/Wesleyan family from around the world, is given annually to individuals or groups who have, through their courage, creativity, and consistency, made significant contributions to peace, justice, and reconciliation. What is most important for Jeannine is that Jesus Christ be lifted up and glorified in her life.