Jose Hernandez is the Lead Pastor at Hope Central Watts. He was born in Mexico, but spent his formative years in Watts. At the age of 13, he became involved with a gang, leading to a stint in jail. It was during this challenging period that he first discovered his faith in God. Following a transformative experience on a trip to Haiti, he felt called to ministry and went on to pursue formal education in the field.

In 2011, he founded Hope Central-Watts church on a basketball blacktop, with the goal of bringing hope to the Watts community through the love of Jesus Christ.