Jason & Justine Martinez
Jason and Justine Martinez serve with Because Justice Matters in San Francisco, leading the Azul & Wildflour program, supporting and resourcing young adults through workforce training, inner-life development, and mentoring.
After 17 years of ministry in the Tenderloin, Jason and Justine launched the Azul & Wildflour program as a nine-month cohort experience for young adults ages 18–24 who have faced childhood instability and systemic barriers. Through this program, they provide practical workforce training, inner-life development, and mentorship, helping participants build thriving futures.
Many young people in San Francisco navigate complex challenges—aging out of foster care, family instability, limited access to education, and systemic barriers to sustainable employment. The Azul program equips them with marketable skills, professional networks, and inner healing to overcome these challenges.
Program Highlights:
- Workforce Training: Hands-on culinary education through Wildflour catering events, specializing in artisan pizza-making. Participants gain real-world work experience and skills that open doors to future employment.
- Inner-Life Development: Group sessions and one-on-one mentorship help participants process trauma, explore personal and cultural values, and develop sustainable healing practices. Creative expression empowers young adults to discover their voices and envision new paths ahead.
By graduation each May, participants leave with practical work experience, professional references, and a renewed sense of possibility for their lives.
Jason and Justine also raise their three children in San Francisco while investing deeply in the lives of these young adults. As spiritual directors, they integrate contemplative practices and soul care into every aspect of the program, believing that true transformation addresses both practical needs and the inner life. Justine additionally develops her own artistic practice and connects participants with the SF art community, using creativity as a tool for healing and self-expression.
From the Martinez’: “We are grateful to be a part of the Reality SF community, as our three kids have been nurtured by so many loving teachers and volunteers through the years. Thank you for being a place for us to grow, thrive, and be sustained as a family in ministry in SF.”
We asked the two of them some questions about their ministry, and here’s how they responded:
What do you love about this work?
“We love the lens that we’ve been given as missionaries in San Francisco — the way it helps us dig deeply into loving the city in tangible ways. Loving a city brings pain and sacrifice as well as joy and delight. Grieving losses, celebrating miracles, and holding on to the hope and vision of God’s plans for San Francisco has been a process that has enriched our personal faith journeys in more ways than we can count!”
Describe something God has shown you during your time serving.
“God has shown us unending faithfulness in our financial needs as a family. Some seasons are paycheck to paycheck; in other seasons there has been more than enough to give back. Throughout, we have certainly witnessed His provision in thousands of ways both subtle and extravagant.”
What have been some of your most memorable experiences?
“All of our most memorable experiences as missionaries have had to do with listening to the amazing stories of others and witnessing God speaking directly into those stories. We are extremely honored to have been able to witness God speaking to beautiful humans in Italy, Morocco, Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam, as well as on the streets of our own Tenderloin. It’s been a precious and transformative adventure for us as a family over the past 13 years.”
The Martinezes currently reside in the Sunset with their three kids. You can connect with them by emailing them. And if you’d like to financially support their ministry, visit ywamsanfrancisco.org/give, select your payment method, and denote “Jason & Justine Martinez” for the donation.
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