In February of 1995, Pastor Jaime Loya and his father-in-law, Rev. Francisco R. Benavides, began a Spirit-filled, Bible-based church named Valley International Christian Center (VICC). The ministry began in their home in Harlingen, Texas with their immediate families, which consisted of only thirteen (13) people.
In 1996, Valley International Christian Center moved to the city of San Benito, Texas and began to lease an abandoned comic book store in which to hold church services. The building was no more than a 1,000 sq. ft., but was strategically located next to the main freeway. Little by little, the congregation began to grow and gain momentum.
Two years later, in 1998, Valley International Christian Center took a step of faith and purchased the small comic bookstore along with the 2.2 acres it was situated on. As VICC began to experience exponential growth, we soon found ourselves needing to expand our facilities. In March of 1998, remodeling began and construction was completed just one month after it started. Upon entering our new facilities, VICC began to offer two (2) Sunday services to accommodate the overflow crowds.
In 2002, Valley International Christian Center, once again, needed a new home and began construction on a new 600 seat sanctuary in July of that year. In February of 2003, VICC entered their new home with record breaking attendance the very first Sunday. The 23rd day of February was declared to be Valley International Christian Center Day in the city of San Benito, Texas.
In 2006, Pastor Jaime Loya launched his first Television program on TBN. People were drawn to the ministry as never before as they began to experience the power of God through “It’s Your Time” television and radio
program. In the history of the church, the year of 2006 will always be remembered as a year when the ministry experienced unprecedented growth and prosperity.
In 2007, Valley International Christian Center purchased the old “Rivoli” Theater in the downtown district of San Benito and converted it into the city’s first Youth Center. The old theater was renamed the Fuel7 Student Center, which also happens to serve as our youth ministry sanctuary. The Youth Ministry would later be recognized as one of the premier youth ministries in the entire Rio Grande Valley.
In 2008, the church found themselves needing to build yet again. Blueprints were drawn up and a 13.79 acre tract of land was purchased adjacent to the freeway in the city of San Benito. The acreage of land would be the site for the new home of Valley International Christian Center.
In an effort to create more room for the thriving congregation, we launched our third Sunday service beginning at 1:00p.m. on Easter Sunday of 2009. As the church continued to grow it was time to expand our borders. We planted a church in Raymondville, Texas in October of 2009 known as Raymondville International Christian Center. We also expanded our ministry by opening another campus known as Brownsville International Christian Center in the city of Brownsville, Texas on February 21, 2010 with 407 people in attendance at our very first service.
Currently, we are constructing and building what will be the new home of Valley International Christian Center. The new state of the art facility is approximately 70,000 sq. ft. and will have a seating capacity of about 1,800 people. Valley International Christian Center has been recognized by the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), Third Day Believer’s Network (3DBN), and the Heritage Registry of Who’s Who in America as one of the fastest growing ministries in the United States. VICC is now home to more than 2,000 people who attend weekly services.