We’re looking forward to introducing you to Rev. Dr. Jose Figueroa Jr.. Check out our conversation below.
Jose, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day begins with time with God, Then, after doing my morning routine (restroom, teeth brushing, etc…) I make a protein shake and begin my daily norm – responding to emails, making phone calls, etc… Depending on the day, however, the activities of the day may shift.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jose, a Native New Yorker now planted in (not always so) sunny Florida. Most people know me as a Gospel Recording Artist (something I never saw for my future), but I have the privilege of carrying several roles, and by the grace of God, they all fit.
I serve as the Senior Pastor (another role I never saw coming) of Restoring Relationships Christian Center, an online church with a global reach and a clear mission: to rebuild lives by reconnecting people to God, to themselves, and to one another. We don’t really fit the mold of a “traditional” church. We are intentional, authentic, and committed to addressing real issues with real, biblically grounded solutions.
I also serve as the COO of Overflowing Fountain Outreach Ministries, a nonprofit focused on meeting the needs of the homeless and underserved through meals, resources, and dignity-centered outreach. Our goal is to meet needs before people ever have to ask.
On the creative side, I am the CEO/Founder of Simply Entertainment Productions, a company that allows me to merge my passion for music, performance, and storytelling. One of my greatest joys is creating moments, whether on stage, in the studio, or behind the scenes, that inspire people and remind them that hope is still alive.
In addition to all of this, I have been a certified Zumba Instructor for fourteen years. Didn’t plan for this either, but I’ve truly loved every moment of it. More than providing people with a fun way to lose weight and stay fit, my classes have become a sort of therapy for many. That, above all, has probably the best part of this journey for me.
What makes my story unique is that every lane I walk in naturally flows together. Ministry, outreach, creativity, performance, teaching, and empowerment are all connected. Everything I do is grounded in impact. Whether I am preaching, serving, producing, performing around the world, or helping others develop their gifts, my mission never changes. At the end of the day, my purpose is simple: be a blessing, make a difference, change lives. One message, one song, and one act of service at a time.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Who was I before the world told me who I had to be?
Honestly? The same person I am today. Just older and wiser.
I’ve never been the type to let the world hand me a script or assign me a role I didn’t audition for. From as far back as I can remember, I’ve always had a strong sense of self. I never cared about people’s opinions, expectations, or unsolicited commentary about my life. And I don’t mean that in the casual “everybody says this” kind of way either. I mean it literally. Ask anyone who has ever crossed paths with me, and they’ll tell you, “Jose just doesn’t care what people think.”
While there are aspects of my life that I didn’t plan for, I’ve always known who I was, what I carried, and what I was called to do. The world never had the privilege of naming me, shaping me, or shrinking me. I’ve always walked in my authenticity…before titles, before stages, before pulpits, before platforms.
So, who was I before the world tried to tell me who I had to be?
Me. Unfiltered. Unbothered. Unmoved. And unapologetically so.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this: “You were right about you. Keep trusting that instinct.”
I’d remind him that the confidence he carried wasn’t actually arrogance. It was discernment. That the things he knew deep down about his purpose, his gift, and his identity were real, even when other people couldn’t see it yet. I’d tell him that the strength he walked in wasn’t accidental but God-given. And every time he refused to let opinions shape him, he was actually protecting the very thing God put in him.
So the kindest thing I could say is simple… “Stay steady. You were right. And you’ve become everything you knew you could be and even things you never dreamed of.”
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. What you see is EXACTLY what you get. And sometimes more than you bargained for (in more ways than one). I’m the type of person that you will either absolutely love OR…well, the opposite! There really is no in-between.
I just don’t believe in performing personalities or switching masks depending on the room I’m in. The same Jose you meet on stage, in the pulpit, in rehearsal, or in a board meeting is the same Jose you’ll catch at Walmart in shorts grabbing a box of carb smart ice cream. I don’t know. I’ve just never had the energy (or the desire, really) to curate some “public persona.” I show up as myself, fully and consistently. I’ve always felt that I would rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I’m pretending to be. And honestly? That’s why s many people connect with me the way they do. I’m simply not afraid to be REAL.
So yes, the public me is the real me. No filter. No façade. No character to maintain. Just…me.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
Character, calling, and conviction.
I love this question because it forces you to strip away every title people applaud, every assignment God has allowed, and every accomplishment the world celebrates. This is why I always tell people that titles mean NOTHING in the grand scheme of things. And when you do that with me, what’s left is the same thing that’s always been there…a heart that genuinely loves God, a passion for serving people, and a commitment to showing up in the world as light, no matter what season I’m in. If you took away any of my titles/roles, you’d still find someone who cares deeply, leads boldly, and gives generously. None of which is tied to a title but to who I am at the core.
Strip the résumé. Remove the platform. Take the accolades. Silence the applause. And what remains is…me. The part that can’t be taken, shaken, or manufactured. Because a surrendered heart, a steady spirit, and a soul that knows its purpose didn’t come from the world so the world can’t erase it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.josefigueroajr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jfigueroajr
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jfigueroajr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jfigueroajr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jfigueroajr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@officialjfigueroajr
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