Miguel Hernández Urbaneja, a Master of Divinity student at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology, has established a nonprofit organization aimed at helping churches improve their outreach through technology. The Re-Church Project, launched in 2025, provides digital marketing, social media strategy, leadership development and training, event planning, outreach services, graphic design, photography, and translation to churches.
“Since I was a teenager, I would say I always have had this idea to support the church,” Urbaneja said.
Originally from Venezuela and raised Catholic, Urbaneja initially considered becoming a priest. He later pursued degrees in journalism and political science before working as a journalist and radio host in Venezuela. After moving to Peru in 2017 and then relocating to the United States in 2020 on a Fulbright scholarship for graduate studies at Georgia State University, he settled in Duluth.
“When I came to the U.S., I noticed that the churches in the U.S. are very organized. But at the same time, I noticed that not every church has a website, or maybe they have a website and the website is not updated,” he said. “When I noticed this, I thought about creating something to support these churches because there are churches that have a beautiful legacy. They have been doing great things, and sometimes they are not getting new people.”
The Re-Church Project currently works with five churches from different denominations by assisting with social media strategies and English language programs. According to Urbaneja, leaders of these programs report increased involvement from participants who join English classes.
“It’s a win-win,” he said. “The church opens their doors for the English as a second language program. New people are coming, and at the same time, these people start to realize all the opportunities, and they want to be part of the church.”
The organization is nondenominational.
“We are happy to work for and with churches that embrace the love of Christ for all creation and want to foster a more diverse and multicultural community,” Urbaneja said.
Urbaneja decided to enroll at Mercer after speaking with a local pastor about its divinity program while searching for a church in Duluth. He joined McAfee School of Theology in 2024 with scholarships from both national and state Cooperative Baptist Fellowship organizations.
Dr. David Garber Jr., associate professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology described Urbaneja as “a strong community leader in the McAfee community.” Dr. Garber added: “He was extremely insightful in class conversations.”
Looking ahead, Urbaneja expressed interest in further academic study such as pursuing either a Ph.D. or Doctor of Ministry degree.
“McAfee has helped me to understand the importance of being in ministry,” he said. “When you have a leadership position in the church, you have a huge responsibility, not just because you are responsible to promote or to share the Christian values but because there are people who go to the church because they really need to have hope. They are looking for a safe space, they are looking for words of comfort.
“When you are working for the church in a leadership position, or even if you are just a member, I think it is important to be aware that you are answering your call but at the same time you are a minister for the people who are looking for God.”
