Jaime Loya was born on December 28, 1974 to Juan and Norma Loya of San Benito, Texas. He is the youngest of three children. He graduated from San Benito High School in 1993. That same year, in the summer of 1993, he married the love of his life, Rose Mary Benavides. Soon after marriage, Jaime attended Tell My People Bible Training Center and graduated with the highest GPA of his class. Upon graduation, Jaime & Rose Mary began their ministry as youth pastors at ICCM Tabernacle of Life in Harlingen, Texas. They continued working until God moved them to start Valley International Christian Center in 1995. By the grace of God, Pastor Jaime Loya began to experience great success in ministry as you can read in the History Section of Valley International Christian Center. In 2004, soon after entering their new 600 seat sanctuary, Bishop Jaime Loya was 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 most significant and successful Hispanic pastors in the United States of America. That year he also had the distinct honor and privilege of being named and recognized as a Bishop by the Third Day Believer’s Network (3DBN). In 2006, Bishop Jaime Loya launched his first Television program on TBN. People were drawn to the ministry like never before as they began to experience the power of God through “It’s Your Time” television and radio program. Today Bishop Jaime Loya can be seen and heard around the world through internet, radio, and such networks as TBN, Enlace, Angel One, and others. Bishop Loya continues to serve as Senior Pastor of Valley international Christian Center. His pastoral duties include leading a church of over 2,000 people in weekly attendance, employing a church staff and developing church leaders. Bishop Loya has also launched several church plants and campuses and is in the process of launching more in the near future. Bishop Loya also preaches around the nation and abroad. He has ministered in such places as Germany, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and several parts of Central America. He is also a Board Member of the National Hispanic Leadership Conference (NHCLC) – America’s Largest Hispanic Christian Organization leading the way in addressing issues such as poverty, healthcare, education reform, religious persecution, juvenile delinquency, etc. Bishop Jaime and Rose Mary currently reside in the city of San Benito, Texas and are the proud parents of four children – Hannah, Sarah, Isaiah, and Josiah
Rose Mary Loya was born on August 19th, 1970 in the city of Pharr, TX. Rose Mary grew up in the city of Sugar Land, TX and later moved back to the Rio Grande Valley where she graduated from Harlingen High School in 1988. Immediately upon graduating, she pursued a higher education from Texas State Technical College (Harlingen, TX) and graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Health Information Technology in 1990. On July 17th of 1993, she married Jaime Loya. They reside in San Benito, TX where they enjoy their four beautiful children; Hannah (13), Sarah (10), Isaiah (9), and Josiah (7). Today, she is the Administrative Pastor at Valley International Christian Center and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Liberty University. Pastor Rose Mary is one of the anointed praise and worship leaders at Valley International Christian Center and is the Woman’s Ministry Pastor there, too. She has successfully released two music albums; Setting the Atmosphere (Recorded LIVE) and Cuando Reposo en Ti. Her hobbies including fishing, singing, and spending time with her husband and kids.
Francisco R. Benavides was born March 07, 1946 in Harlingen, TX to Cristobal and Maria Benavides. At the age of fourteen, he gave his life to the Lord and received a call for ministry. Being only sixteen years old, Francisco Benavides had his first revival meeting in Blue Island, Illinois. In 1963, he graduated Valedictorian from the first graduating class of “Emmanuel” Bible School and was the first student in history to receive a diploma from that school.
After bible school, Francisco served in the United States Army from 1964 through 1966 and fought in the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged. On November 20, 1966, Francisco married Rosie Villarreal and began to minister once again. From 1966 through 1972, Francisco was a teacher for Bethel Institute. In 1976, he served a three-year term as Bible School Director for Bethel Institute. There, he lectured on Church Doctrine, Church History, and Prophecy. In 1979, he founded Templo Peniel Pentecostal Church in Sugar land, TX and remained Senior Pastor there until 1985.
Francisco, once again, traveled into Mexico and became a missionary to the country. Rev. Benavides served as Superintendent for the Pentecostal Church for 21 years. In 1995, he founded Valley International Christian Center and presently holds the title of Apostle. In 1996-1998, he served once again as a Bible School Director for Aposento Alto Bible School and soon after Valley International Christian College. Rev. Francisco Benavides is currently the President of Benavides Ministries Incorporation and is the Chairperson of the Velasquez Christian Foundation. He serves in the Board of Directors in Valley International Christian Center. He is the proud father of five children – Frank, Jr., Rose Mary, Elias, Misael and Rebecca whom all serve in the ministry.
Rosie Benavides was born on August 30, 1945 in Geronimo, TX to Rev. Salome and Geraldine Villarreal. At an early age, Rosie began ministry with her father. Rosie and her older sister Lupita would often sing in their father’s Christian radio program. In 1966, she married Frank Benavides. In 1967, she graduated from Bethel Instituto Biblico. Rosie ministered with her husband and family throughout the state of Texas. From 1973-1978, she was a teacher at Bethel Instituto Biblico where she taught classes on Bible, Religion, The Tabernacle, and Christian Evidence. In 1979, she helped her husband Frank establish Templo Peniel in Sugar Land, TX.
After returning to Harlingen in 1985, she remained a faithful member of her local church where she served in the women’s department and as a Sunday School Teacher. In 1995, she helped her husband begin Valley International Christian Center. Rosie Benavides is a member of the Board of Directors at Valley International Christian Center and continues to minister with her husband around the United States. She is proud grandmother of six grandchildren.
Rev. Abram Gomez, son of Mary Gomez and the late Emmett Gomez, graduated from Itasca High School in 1997. Later, he graduated with Cum Laude honors from Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie with a Bachelor of Science Degree majoring in Pastoral Studies. A couple of years after graduating from college, Abram felt a deep calling on his life to pursue full time ministry. In 2006, he moved to San Benito, TX located in the Rio Grande Valley. It was there, where he joined the staff at Valley International Christian Center. He was soon appointed over the youth department. In June 2006, with no more than 15 active youth, he changed the name of the youth group to Fuel7. Since then, there are now more than 300 students who call Fuel7 their home. Hundreds of youth pass through the doors of Fuel7 each month. Abram has also helped in the development of partnerships with the local Boys and Girls Club, FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), the Darryl Hester Juvenile Detention Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Elks Lodge, and local churches as well. With the support of certain individuals, he has helped to establish and develop a Fuel7 Scholarship Program for graduating high school seniors. Abram is not only the Senior Youth Pastor, but also the Fuel7 Student Center Director. He works with the Valley International Community Development Corporation (VICDC), a non-profit organization whose vision is community transformation. The organization was awarded a grant to setup the MCP program, which is the Mentoring of Children of Prisoners. Not only has Abram helped in launching this program, of which is the only one of its kind in the Rio Grande Valley, he is also a mentor as well. Because of the rapid growth and the programs it offers, the local news media has taken notice of the Fuel7 Student Center. Abram has been on local news stations and on TBN promoting the programs. In January of 2008, Abram became the Lead Pastor at the VICC-Laguna Vista Campus and helped pioneer the development of this church. He was soon released to continue his work at the Fuel7 Student Center. Abram helped launch Fuel7 Brownsville, and has pioneered our student conference OUTPOUR, which reaches thousands of young people. In, 2010, Abram was appointed as an Executive Pastor and currently, he has stepped into that role helping to oversee the entire ministry of VICC. He and his wife, Rebecca, currently reside in Harlingen, Texas.
Rebecca Gomez was born on March 10, 1982 in Richmond, TX to Apostle Frank and Rosie Benavides, Sr. At an early age, Rebecca started singing duets with her older brother Elias and would often join him on stage at different church venues and church conferences. Rebecca continued singing throughout the years. She represented the Rio Grande Valley in a national vocal competition. In 2004, Rebecca received a praise and worship leader position at Templo Sinai in Hillsboro, TX and continued ministering there for two years. In 2006, she returned to Harlingen and continued ministering at the church her parents founded, VICC. In April of 2008, she married Abram Gomez. Currently, Rebecca ministers with her husband.
Rick and Grace Aguirre head the Children’s Department. They graduated from San Benito High School in 1973. Later, Rick graduated from Electrical School in 1983 and received a Certificate of Completion for Journeyman Electrician in 1983. Rick and Grace are two time recipients of the Juan and Norma Loya Service Award (2005-2006) Prior ministry experience include Deacon, Youth Pastors, Youth Teacher, Youth Coordinators and Bus Ministry. Rick and Grace are involved in overseeing the Royal Rangers and Missionettes, implementing Vacation Bible School and directing the children’s puppet shows. They have three children – Kimberly, James, Hannah and one granddaughter named Julia.
All the way from the great state of New York, Danny and Laura have come to serve VICC as Fuel7 Youth Pastors.
Danny is a graduate of The Renovation House discipleship training school Whippany, NJ (2005) and also a graduate of Elim Bible Institute Lima, NY (2008). He graduated with his diploma in Theology and Pastoral Ministry. He has served in a number of different ministries and churches. He has served as a Youth Pastor, Worship Pastor and has also led various Evangelistic teams that have ministered in the New York City area. Most recently, Danny served at a church in New York City serving as their Youth and Worship Pastor. Back in 2006, Danny came to VICC to complete his Bible College internship. It was during that time that Danny connected with the vision of VICC and is now serving as part of the team. Pastor Danny has a heart to see the next generation of youth and young adults radically changed by Jesus, and to see His Spirit unleashed in a new way.
Pastor Danny is married to his beautiful wife Laura and has one daughter named Naomi and two dogs, Gideon and Judah. They reside in Harlingen, Texas.
Rev. Brick Cliff is a graduate of Elim Bible Institute and Spring Arbor University. He and his wife Beth have been missionaries under Elim Fellowship since 1987, serving first for twelve years in Africa and then for the last twelve years in Latin America. Brother Cliff is the President of World Impact Now (W.I.N) Ministries. W.I.N. is a Christian organization involved in leadership training and community development around the world.
Pastor Cliff’s twenty-six years of ministry have included evangelism, church planting, starting and directing Bible schools, serving as the pastor of three churches, and starting a number of Christian film studios. Rev. Cliff travels internationally to oversee and start church-based schools with the “International School of Ministry” (I.S.O.M.). His ministry has start over 1,000 church-based Bible schools in 15 countries and 12 languages.
W.I.N. is currently working on filming a complete Bible school curriculum in Spanish, as well as filming community development courses and translating them for use around the world. Brother Cliff also teaches in two different international curriculums, the “International School of Ministry” (ISOM) as well as the “Nation-2-Nation” ministry curriculum. Brick and Beth have three children – Sara, who is a full time missionary in China, Benjamin who is studying at Texas A&M University, and Josiah who is a Sophomore in High school. They live in San Benito, Texas, on the Mexican border.