Reverend Jonathan Hernandez Sr.

Reverend Jonathan Hernández, Sr., of Grand Prairie, Texas, entered into the presence of his Savior on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the age of 88. Born April 6, 1938, in Sonora, Texas, he was the son of Rev. Carlos Hernández Rios and Amalia Yañez de Hernández. Jonathan’s life was marked by steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, a shepherd’s heart for God’s people, and decades of devoted gospel ministry.

Jonathan placed his faith in the Lord in 1950 and was baptized at Iglesia Bautista Buena Voluntad in San Antonio, Texas—beginning a lifelong walk of discipleship, service, and love for the local church. In 1955, at the Campamento de Jovenes at Alto Frio, he surrendered to God’s call to preach at the age of 17—a calling he pursued with humility, conviction, and compassion.

Jonathan enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1960. Around that time, he met his partner in life and ministry, Lydia Rodriguez. They became engaged in March 1961, and a few weeks later he was assigned to serve in Mannheim, Germany. Their love persevered through months of separation, culminating in their marriage in January 1965.

Jonathan was licensed to preach at Iglesia Bautista Buena Voluntad in San Antonio, TX in 1964 and was ordained to the gospel ministry at Morgan Avenue Baptist Church in Corpus Christi, TX in 1967. He carried a clear burden for proclaiming God’s Word, building up the church, and caring for families through every season of life.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education from the University of Corpus Christi, TX in 1969 and in 1985 received a Master of Arts in Religious Education from Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX.

Throughout his ministry, Jonathan served as the founding pastor of Misión Bautista Los Encinos (Corpus Christi, Texas) and also pastored Misión Bautista Balboa (McAllen, Texas); Misión Bautista Calvario (Sweetwater, Texas); and Segunda Iglesia Bautista (Corpus Christi, Texas), before accepting the call to pastor Primera Iglesia Bautista in Arlington, Texas in 1980. For 45 years at Primera in Arlington, he faithfully preached the gospel, discipled believers, and shepherded the congregation with prayerful leadership and steady care. He held various positions in regional Baptist Associations, Convención Bautista Hispana, and other denominational organizations. He also taught and equipped many Hispanic pastors and lay leaders through seminary extension courses.

Jonathan was a devoted sports fan who cheered for the Dallas Cowboys (during the Tom Landry and Jimmy Johnson years), Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, and the University of Texas Longhorns. Above all, his favorite teams to watch were those on which his grandchildren played. Whenever possible, he attended their school programs, games, and academic award assemblies.

Jonathan is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lydia Hernández; his children, Gloria Vines (Gregg) of Aledo, Texas, Liza DeLeon (Joe) of Hutto, Texas, and Jonathan Hernández, Jr. (Leslee) of Grand Prairie, Texas; seven grandchildren: Marisa, Cristina, Daniel, and Josiah DeLeon, and Jonathan III, Joshua, and Lilliana Hernández; his extended blended family of step-grandchildren: Jason Vines (Brandy), Jaime Ball (Barret) and Jacob Vines (Emily), and step-great-grandchildren: Creek & Kord Vines, Brayden, Bryn & Bennett Ball, Reagan & Petyon Vines, and Lainey, Jude & Emalee Gentry, all of Azle, TX.

He is also survived by his brother, Oscar Hernández (Minnie); sister-in-law, Sylvia Rogers; his nieces, Miriam Garcia and Marie Purdom (Joel); and his nephews, Carlos III, Oscar Carlos, Danny (Myra), Joel (Heather), and Stephen Hernández.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Carlos Hernández Rios and Amalia Yañez de Hernández; his brothers, Carlos Jr., Humberto, Jonathan, Ruben, Abel, Leobardo, Hector, Samuel; and his sisters, Amalia and Nohemi; his nephew, Ruben Hernández Jr.; and brothers-in-law José Rodriguez & Don Rogers.

Those who knew Jonathan remember a man anchored in Scripture and confident in the promises of God. His family gives thanks for his life and ministry and rejoices in the Christian hope that “to be absent from the body” is “to be present with the Lord.”

The family would like to offer special thanks to Primera Arlington for standing with them in care, support, and prayer throughout his 45 years of pastorate, and especially the last eighteen months during his illness.