We are thrilled to announce Jose F. Rodriguez has been confirmed to serve as bishop of the Southeast Conference of Brethren in Christ U.S., his term starting August 1, 2026. He will take over from Bishop Aner Morejon who has led the conference since 2012.
Following his nomination by the Southeast Conference Board of Directors, acting as the bishop search committee, his candidacy was affirmed by the General Conference Board. He was officially appointed by the voting members of the Southeast Conference by unanimous electronic vote January 12.
“As a pastor and member of several boards and commissions, Jose has already been a huge blessing to the BIC family,” says Alan Robinson, national director of BIC U.S. “I look forward to his leadership in the Southeast Conference’s next chapter.”
Born in Cuba, Jose came to faith in Christ as a child and became heavily involved in the first Cuban BIC mission congregation, the Cuatro Caminos Church under Pastor Juana Garcia. After sensing a call to pastoral ministry and attending seminary, he served as pastor of that church for two years.
In 1989, he and his family immigrated to Miami, Fla., to serve as an associate pastor at Bethel BIC under Eduardo Llanes (who was later bishop of the Southeast Conference). Jose has served in pastoral ministry in South Florida ever since. In 1998, he planted Esmirna BIC, which he continues to lead.
He is deeply invested in the Southeast Conference, having previously served on the conference’s Board of Directors. “I believe the Southeast Conference has tremendous potential,” Jose says, “not only to impact the area where we are, but also to perhaps help other regional conferences establish Hispanic ministries.”
He has served on various national BIC boards and commissions including General Conference Board and the Commission on Ministry and Doctrine. Jose founded PEACE CDC, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides afterschool and summer camp programs throughout Miami-Dade County for approximately 250 children year-round.
Jose and his wife, Lourdes, have two adult children, Madai and Josue.
Jose will serve as bishop in a half-time capacity while continuing to provide leadership at Esmirna BIC alongside another pastoral couple, Yenis and Josue Paula. Consistent with BIC U.S. expectations that all lead pastors serve under the authority of a bishop, another member of Leadership Council will provide bishop oversight to Esmirna BIC and to Jose in his role as lead pastor of the congregation. In his role as bishop, as with all bishops, Jose will be accountable to the National Director of BIC U.S.