Meet the Pastor
Embracing the Fresh Start: A New Chapter in Ministry
As I sit down to write this inaugural blog post, I am filled with a sense of excitement, gratitude, and anticipation. My name is Jason Hepler, and I am honored to serve as the new Senior Pastor of Fresh Start Ministries, a vibrant and growing community of believers in Kissimmee, Florida. Alongside my beautiful wife, Ashley, and daughter Jaylin, we are embarking on an extraordinary new chapter of ministry and community life.
Our hearts beat with a passion to create a safe space where everyone can experience the life-transforming power of God's love.
A Journey of Faith and Calling In February 2024, God brought us to Kissimmee with a clear vision for revival and transformation. Before this, I had the privilege of serving as the Senior Pastor of Restoring Faith in Scottsboro, Alabama. Those years of ministry ignited in me a deep passion for creating spaces where everyone can experience the love, grace, and power of God. My journey to ministry has been shaped by diverse experiences. I hold a Doctorate of Ministry, a Master's in Psychology, and a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice. Before entering the ministry, I served as a Police Chief and proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. I've also been blessed to serve as an Associate Pastor and Youth Pastor in the Church of God. Through my experiences, I've learned that ministry is not just about preaching or teaching; it's about serving, loving, and caring for people. It's about creating a safe space where everyone can feel welcome, valued, and loved. At Fresh Start Ministries, we're committed to doing just that.
We are not just a church; we're a family. We're a community of imperfect people who are striving to love God and love each other. We're a place where you can come as you are, without fear of judgment or rejection. We're a place where you can find hope, healing, and restoration.
A Vision for Revival and Transformation Ashley and I share a longing to see revival ignite and lives forever changed. We believe that God is moving in powerful ways and that He's calling us all to deeper faith, greater joy, and lives fully surrendered to Him. We envision a church that is passionate about reaching the lost, discipling believers, and serving our community.
A Church for Everyone At Fresh Start Ministries, we are a church where everyone is welcome, no matter where you are on your spiritual journey. If you are just starting out in your faith journey or you have been serving the Lord for many years, if you have messed up and lost your way, good news! There is a place for you here!
Church is not a spectator sport! Worship is an opportunity to engage with God, express your love for Him, and be part of something greater. Clap, raise your hands, sing, testify, get excited about Jesus! We believe in the power of God to heal, restore, and transform lives, and we invite you to join us in celebrating His goodness. Our services are a time of vibrant worship, Spirit-filled preaching, and heartfelt fellowship. Whether you're rejoicing, praying, or finding solace in His presence, you'll experience a community that loves God and each other with sincerity and passion.
Church is more than just a hospital for sinners. While we acknowledge that we are all in need of healing and restoration, we also believe that the church should be a place of empowerment and equipping. We envision our church as a rehabilitation center, where we learn to overcome the struggles and strongholds that hold us back. We believe that through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be transformed and equipped to live victorious lives. But our vision doesn't stop there. We also believe that the church should be a training ground, where we learn to make disciples and wage war against the enemy. We're not just called to be consumers of the Gospel; we're called to be contributors, using our gifts and talents to advance the Kingdom of God.
Committed to creating a culture of discipleship, where we can learn from one another and grow in our faith. We're excited to see how God will use our church to empower and equip believers to make a difference in our community and beyond!
Our vision: We envision a church that is filled with the presence of God, where the Holy Spirit is free to move and work in powerful ways. We envision a church that is a beacon of hope and light in our community, where people can come to find refuge, restoration, and revival.
Join the Journey This blog is an extension of our ministry, a space to share encouragement, inspiration, and updates on the incredible things God is doing at Fresh Start Ministries. Be sure to follow along—you won't want to miss what's ahead! But more than that, we would love to see you in person!
Join us for worship and experience firsthand the joy, excitement, and power of God's presence. At Fresh Start Ministries, God is writing a story of hope, healing, and revival. There's a place for you in this story. Come as you are, and let's see what God will do! Stay Connected We're excited to get to know you and share this journey with you. Stay connected with us through our website, social media, and blog. We can't wait to see how God will use Fresh Start Ministries to impact our community and beyond!
Your story isn’t over, a new chapter has just begun!
With hearts full of faith, hope, and love,
Pastor Jason & Ashley Hepler
Fresh Start Ministries