Jesse was born in Hitchcock, Texas to Consuelo Rodriguez and Manuel Pete Fernandez on August 8, 1963. He went home to be with the Lord on July 19, 2021 in Greensboro, NC. Raised in a Pentecostal background, his father was the Elder of the Church and his mother a well known Evangelist in Galveston County, Texas. He learned the moving and gifts of the Holy Spirit from his mother. He accepted the Lord at an early age and joined Emmanuel Pentecostal Church. As a child he allowed the Holy Spirit to use him through healing and deliverance.

After the death of his mother at the age of twelve, he moved his membership to First Mexican Baptist Church in Hitchcock, Texas. The Pastor and his wife taught him business administration of the Church. He was the church's accountant, served as Sunday School teacher for ages 3-12, and preached his first sermon at this church during Youth Revival.

During his three years of high school, he worked with special needs children. His desire was to attend school to obtain skills to work with this population. However, finances and family obligations did not allow it. He graduated from Hitchcock High School.

Later in life, he met Bishop William H. Smith of Christian Life Center of Los Angeles. He experienced the fire of the Holy Spirit moving in life as he did when his mother was living.

As a result of serving with Bishop William Smith, he met Carolyn Pearce. After meeting her, he began studying the Word through her Bible Studies. He also studied under the ministries of Kenneth Copeland and Kenneth Hagin.

He was led by the Holy Spirit to leave his family and to move to a distant land. He was told that when he stepped onto the grounds the Lord had given him, he would prosper. He was also told the he would be full of joy and happiness. He moved to North Carolina and married Carolyn Pearce.

He was ordained and licensed a Pastor by Bishop William Smith in 1999. However, he still had a desire to work with individuals with special needs. He and his wife completed the Foster Parents Program through Guilford County and cared for foster children. They later opened a Children Home under Emmanuel Ministries International, Inc., a ministry for which they were co-founders. They later opened an adult home and served more than 30 children and 9 adults.

In addition to homes established through Emmanuel Ministries International, Inc., Pastor Jesse enjoyed interacting with people in the community. Because they had two children of their own, he especially enjoyed working with and mentoring the youth. Many called him "Bishop J" or "Pop". They appreciated that he was easy to talk to because of his down to earth and peaceful spirit.

He and his wife served a variety of churches in the community. Among them were: Christian Life Center of Texas City, Texas; Mercy Outreach Church of Deliverance of High Point, NC; Holy Evangelistic Prayer Temple of Laurinburg, NC; Got Truth International Church of Eagles of Louisburg, NC; Mission of Hope Outreach Church of Louisburg, NC.

In 2005, he and his wife received the Honorary Doctor of Human Letters from Breakthrough Bible College, Maryland for their service in the healthcare profession and in the Ministry. He was ordained a Bishop by Apostle Addie Collins in 2014. He continued to pray for and cover his family and the members of the churches he served until he went home to be with the Lord on July 19, 2021.

Bishop Fernandez was preceded in death by his father, Manuel Pete Fernandez and mother, Consuelo Rodriguez Fernandez; and brothers, Manuel Pete Fernandez, Jr., John Fernandez, Rudy Fernandez, and Richard Rodriguez.

He leaves the following family members to continue the Work of the Lord: his wife, Carolyn Fernandez; daughter, Cierra Fernandez; son, Darius Fernandez and daughter in-law, Amber, all of Greensboro, NC; grandchildren, Angel Fernandez, Andreas Fernandez, Johanna Fernandez, Jonathan Fernandez, and Allahni Fernandez, all of Greensboro, NC; sisters, Erlinda Speaker of Hitchcock, TX , Anita Damian and brother in-law, Ignacio of Richwood, TX, Lupe Burton, Rosie Fernandez, and Angie Fernandez, all of Texas City, TX, and Carmen Sena of Las Vegas, NM; brother, Mario Fernandez of Hitchcock, TX, James Bernard Pearce and sister in-law, Jennifer of Cincinnati, OH; sisters in-law, Elaine Pearce of Pomona, CA and Regina Pearce of Columbus, OH; nieces, Consuelo Salazar and her husband, James, Anita Shank and her husband, Darwin, and Samantha Ruelas, all of Alvin, TX; Allison Speaker and Fred Widman of Pearland, TX, Angel Fernandez and Alejandro Alvarado of Houston TX, Natasha Pearce of San Francisco, CA, Tonya Pearce of Costa Mesa, CA, Danielle Turner and her husband, Michael of Fontana, CA, Renika Scott and her husband, Emmanuel, Ronisha Pearce, and Rachelle Pearce, all of Columbus, OH; nephews, Christopher Rodriguez and his wife, Jessica, and Mario Fernandez and his wife, Jessica, both of Houston, TX; Lyonel Pearce and his wife, April of Charles City, IA, Travis Pearce of Cincinnati, OH; five grand nephews; eight grand nieces; a host other relatives, and numerous brothers and sisters in the Lord.

A homegoing celebration will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at Centro Cristiano Amor Fe Y Esperanza, 2300 S. Elm Eugene Street, Greensboro.  Visitation with the family begins at 11:30 am followed by the service at 12:00 pm.  Interment will follow at Guilford Memorial Park.  Livestreaming of the service is available, the code is: fernandez073121

Masks are required.