Born in Cuba, Rev. Dr. Jose E. Hernandez moved to Miami with his family at the age of eight. During his teenage years, he struggled with substance use and addiction, until one day, his doctor gave him an ultimatum. If he continued down this path, his heart would give out. Lost and distraught, Hernandez returned to the church for guidance and dedicated his life to serving God at just seventeen years old.
In 1981, Metro Dade Corrections & Rehabilitation Department opened a chaplain position to lend much-needed guidance to the individuals in Miami-Dade’s overcrowded jails. Rev. Dr. Hernandez felt called to apply and, by God’s grace, was selected. Two years later, he was promoted from Chaplain to Religious Coordinator for the Metro Dade Corrections & Rehabilitation Department. Rev. Dr. Hernandez saw firsthand the impact that ministry had in jails, and his vision to bring forth spiritual health and reentry programs began to gain momentum. He founded South Florida Jail Ministries as well as other community-oriented programs including a multiethnic, non-denominational movement called “We are One”.
In 1984, through an act of divine intervention, a group of influential women in the Department of Corrections told Rev. Dr. Hernandez that he needed to create a safe place for women after they were released from jail. There was a pressing need for reintegration services and resources in the community. After much contemplation, Rev. Dr. Hernandez agreed, and thus the Agape Network was born.
The Agape Network began in a trailer, helping one woman at a time. Now, it is a nationally accredited community health center and residential recovery for female substance users. Agape continues to expand across Dade County, serving a growing number of individuals and families monthly. Since its conception, Rev. Dr. Hernandez has served as Agape’s Executive Director with unwavering dedication and passion.
Rev. Dr. Hernandez has also received recognition from the National Association of Counties for his work with the jail ministries and has served as co-chair for the religious task force, “We Will Rebuild” committee, to rebuild South Dade churches.
In 1999, Rev. Dr. Hernandez was once again promoted, this time from Religious Coordinator to Commander of the Miami Dade Corrections & Rehabilitation Department Chaplaincy Services Bureau, a first-of-its-kind bureau that was established as a direct result of his efforts. In 2009, his work at the Department of Corrections encompassed six correctional facilities and more than 100,000 inmates annually.
Today, Rev. Dr. Hernandez, through a tenacious commitment to God and to his community, continues to serve with multi-denominational groups. He has also been able to witness Agape’s 22-year-old vision come to life, with the opening of the brand-new Agape Village Health Center in February 2024. His contributions have made a deep impact in the Miami-Dade community – one that will forever be immortalized by a dedicated street and building name on Southwest 227th Street between Southwest 112th Place and Southwest 112th Avenue
