Recast Ministry exists to help ministry leaders return to the way Jesus led through deeply relational, personal, and Christ-centered relationships. We equip leaders to move beyond program-driven strategies and rediscover the life-changing power of knowing people individually. By entering people’s lives and earning the right to speak truth and hope, leaders can prioritize people over programs and relationships over routines. Our approach focuses on long-term spiritual growth and transformation rather than one-time events.

Who We Are

“The gap is real. The solution is relational”

— Jeff Fernandez

Understanding Recast Ministry

Discover the heart, vision, and approach behind Recast Ministry and how it invites leaders into deeper, more relational ministry.

  • Across the country, young people are slipping through the cracks of the church, not because they lack interest in Jesus, but because they often feel unseen and disconnected from the program-heavy services that many churches have. Today’s church tends to focus on making the components of each service attractive, instead of focusing on Jesus. This leaves young people searching for truth, but having trouble discerning it. Research from Fuller Youth Institute shows that nearly half of churchgoing youth leave the church after high school. At the same time, a 2025 Barna study reveals that more than half of young people are highly motivated to learn about Jesus. This all points to a disconnect between the church and what young people are actually looking for. We exist to help restore the disconnect by equipping leaders to build the kinds of relationships that help students feel known, valued, and spiritually anchored.

  • The word recast comes from the refining process of melting down metal and reshaping it into something stronger and more resilient. In the same way, we exist to help leaders take the ministry they already have and recast it into the model of Jesus, which we call relational student ministry. It is an invitation to refine, renew, and reform ministry so it becomes more grounded, relational, and effective for the Kingdom.

  • We create change by equipping pastors and leaders to reshape the way they approach ministry through a deeply relational model. Our five week training program includes nine personalized sessions that walk leaders through the process of recasting their ministry mindset using the same approach Jesus modeled: entering people’s lives personally, building trust, and leading through genuine relationship. Our sessions include trainings like:

    • Engaging your relationship with God

    • Discerning and understanding your ministry style

    • Relational Student Ministry

    • Relationship Training

    • Effective Message Writing

    • And more…

  • Recast Ministry is a nonprofit organization committed to making relational ministry accessible to churches of all sizes and resources. Because of the generosity of donors who believe in this mission, we are able to offer scholarships and financial support for churches that may not be able to afford our training. Our heart is that finances would never be a barrier to leaders who desire to invest in relationships and long-term spiritual transformation.If you share this vision, you can partner with us through giving and help extend this work to more churches and leaders.

Man sitting on a black couch smiling, with an open book and electronic devices on the table in front of him.

Recast Ministry’s founder, Jeff Fernandez, has over 34 years of ministry experience. His journey began at a young age where he grew up in an abusive household, raised by parents who claimed faith but did not embody it. This distorted view of Christianity pushed Jeff far from God until high school, when God placed students and adults in his life who refused to give up on him. They entered his world, walked with him through difficult seasons, and showed him what genuine, Christ-centered relationships looks like.

Their consistency and compassion not only led to his radical conversion to Christianity, but also became the foundation of Jeff’s understanding of relational ministry. From that moment on, he knew he was called to walk with middle school and high school students, pointing them back to Jesus through presence, empathy, and real connection. For over 34 years, he has served youth in countless ways, from volunteer leadership to serving as a head youth pastor.

Recently, God has placed a new assignment on Jeff’s heart. He has been called to equip pastors and ministry leaders to recast their ministry mindset and lead the way Jesus did: through authentic relationships. Jeff is humbled and expectant about what God will do to empower leaders through this ministry.

Meet the Founder

You can help reshape the future of ministry. Your generosity equips leaders, strengthens churches, and helps young people encounter Jesus through genuine and life-changing relationships. Partner with us as we help leaders rediscover the way Jesus did ministry.

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Meet the Board

  • A smiling man with glasses, earrings, and a bald head standing outdoors in front of a brick wall.

    Jeff Fernandez

    Founder

    I’m passionate about helping young people surrender their lives to Jesus through deeply relational ministry. Recast Ministry’s individualized training equips church leaders to intentionally build relationships that foster spiritual growth and lasting faith in the lives of students.

  • Smiling man with short dark hair and beard sitting outdoors on a gray chair, wearing a black North Face jacket, with a blurred outdoor background.

    Lynden Johncock

    Board Member

    I’m grateful for the opportunity to come alongside God’s plan for the Church by helping leaders recast the way they lead. God works through imperfect people, refining broken things to advance His Kingdom, and Recast Ministry is part of that redemptive work.

  • A woman with shoulder-length dark hair smiling at the camera, wearing a black jacket and a green shirt against a plain blue background.

    Sara Campbell

    Board Member

    Being a young person is challenging and requires support to navigate life and faith. Our priority is sharing the gospel in ways that foster lasting spiritual growth and truly reach young people in environments where they can grow, belong, and thrive in their faith.

  • A man with light skin, short blond hair, and a beard, smiling, wearing a gray collared shirt, indoors with large windows in the background.

    Josh Slater

    Board Member

    I’m excited about the impact Recast Ministry can have by equipping leaders with a relational approach to ministry. I’ve seen how powerful this model is in cultivating active, deeply rooted faith, and I hope to see many more young lives transformed through confident, supported leaders.