Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Fernandez.
Hi Jessica, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In 2021, my family and I made a life-altering move from Florida to Dallas, Texas. We had lived in Florida for over 20 years, where I built a career as an instructional design professional. At the same time, my husband made the bold decision to retire early from the U.S. Postal Service so we could step fully into this new season together. Leaving behind financial stability and familiarity wasn’t easy—but the call to ministry was clear.
As a child, I remember sitting in church and watching our lead pastor speak. I did not fully understand what he was doing, but I knew, with surprising clarity, that one day I would be doing the same thing. The problem was that no one could tell me how to get there. There was no roadmap, no clear pathway, and certainly no examples that looked like me.
When I finally got a call to be interviewed for a full-time teaching pastor position, the senior pastor studied my résumé and said something unexpected. “I know you are qualified on paper,” he said. “But what can we do for you?”With more courage than I felt at the moment, I answered honestly. “I want to be the best preacher I can be.” He smiled and replied, “I can do that.”
That moment marked the beginning of real growth. Not the polished kind, but the slow, humbling kind that comes from learning, listening, and being willing to admit you are not finished yet. I began serving as a pastor at Springcreek Church in Garland, Texas, where I found myself teaching, leading, and discovering just how powerfully God uses obedience when we surrender our plans to Him.
That season of transition also reignited a deeper passion for storytelling and testimony—especially the kind that points people back to the faithfulness of God. Out of that stirring, Las Locas Chronicles was born—a Christian podcast I co-host with my best friend of over 30 years, who also happens to be a pastor in Amarillo, Texas. What started as honest conversations about faith, family, calling, ministry, culture, and obedience quickly grew into something far bigger than we imagined. Through the podcast, I’ve been invited to share my story at Christian conferences and events, encouraging others to step boldly into the purpose God has placed on their lives.
Looking back, every transition—every risk, every yes—has led me exactly where I am today: serving, speaking, and teaching with a deep conviction that God can use ordinary obedience to produce extraordinary impact.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road, but it has been a meaningful one.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was stepping into ministry spaces where opportunities for women teaching pastors are still limited. Many churches do not believe women should preach or pastor, which meant finding the right place to serve took longer and required a deep confidence in my calling.
Another challenge was breaking the stereotype of what a pastor or preacher is supposed to look and sound like. I am a Hispanic woman, born in New York, raised in the Bronx, with a New York accent, fast speech, and curly, wild hair. For years, people made me feel like those things were problems. I was told I talked too fast, was too honest, or did not fit the mold. For a long time, that created insecurity.
Eventually, I realized this is exactly who God created me to be. When I stopped trying to tone myself down or fit into someone else’s version of leadership and started walking confidently in who I am, everything changed. My voice became stronger. My message became clearer. And I began to see how my authenticity gave other people permission to embrace who they are too.
At the same time, we were navigating major life changes like moving to a new state, becoming empty nesters, and changing careers. We missed our family, our church, the city where we raised our kids, and the dream home we left behind. Adjusting to life in a big city was exciting and overwhelming all at once. I also transitioned from being a seasoned instructional design professional to full-time ministry, going from expert to beginner again, which required humility and patience.
My husband and I were also becoming empty nesters. Our son enlisted in the United States Air Force, and our daughter was attending the University of South Florida. While they were stepping into their own paths, we were starting over in Dallas.
Even with all of it, I would not change this journey for anything. It has been in the uncomfortable places that I have grown the most and truly learned to own my voice.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At the foundation of who I am, I am a teacher. That has been true long before I ever stood behind a pulpit.
My work today includes preaching, teaching, speaking, and developing leaders, but it is deeply shaped by my background as an educator. Over the years, I have served as a high school teacher, a college professor, an instructional designer, and a trainer in both academic and corporate environments. In every setting, I learned the same lesson: people want to be seen and heard. When they feel seen and heard, they are more willing to be taught, not just be talked at. They want clarity, honesty, authenticity, and something they can actually apply to real-life experiences.
Teaching shapes everything I do. I specialize in making deep, sometimes complex ideas accessible without watering them down. Whether I am teaching Scripture, hosting my podcast, leading a workshop, or speaking at a conference, my goal is always the same: help people connect the dots between what they believe and how they live. I am known for storytelling, authenticity, and creating spaces where people feel safe to think, question, and grow.
I am especially passionate about helping people who feel called to lead, teach, or speak but do not know where to begin. I understand what it feels like to have passion without a clear pathway. Because of that, I am intentional about equipping others with practical tools, not just inspiration.
What I am most proud of is the transformation I get to witness. Not numbers or platforms, but people. Watching someone gain confidence, discover their voice, and step into leadership with clarity and conviction is the greatest reward of my work.
What sets me apart is the combination of educational expertise and pastoral heart. I bring structure, strategy, and intentional design to teaching, while never losing sight of the human story behind it. I believe truth should be taught with both depth and compassion, and that learning should lead to real change, not just more information.
At the end of the day, my work is about helping people understand who they are, what they believe, and how to live that out with courage and purpose.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
If I could offer one piece of advice to anyone just starting out, it would be this: do not spend your energy trying to sound like someone else. The power of speaking and teaching does not come from imitation, it comes from finding your own voice through your lived experiences. Your story, your background, and your perspective are not obstacles, they are assets.
I also wish I had understood earlier the importance of staying ready instead of getting ready. Growth does not happen in last minute preparation. It happens through consistency, study, and showing up long before the opportunity arrives. The work you do when no one is watching is what prepares you for the moments when everyone is listening.
Another lesson I learned along the way is the importance of mentorship. Find someone who is already where you want to be and learn from them. Ask questions. Observe how they think, not just how they perform. And if you cannot find a mentor right away, let books, courses, and training become your mentors until you do. Learning is never wasted.
There will also be seasons where you have to invest in yourself to gain access to rooms and conversations you would not otherwise be in. Sometimes that means joining masterminds, taking courses, or stretching yourself financially and emotionally. Those investments often open doors to relationships, insight, and growth that change the trajectory of your journey.
Most of all, give yourself permission to grow slowly. Confidence and clarity are built over time. Stay curious, stay humble, and stay committed to becoming the best version of yourself, not a copy of someone else.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jessicafernandez.com
- Instagram: @jessfernandezphd
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fernandez.jess
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernandezjess
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LasLocasChronicles
