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 in Harlingen, Texas.
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 Cross Church, formerly known as Valley International Christian Center, alongside their parents in 1995. Although the early days were a struggle, the Church endured and by the grace of God, Pastor Loya began to experience great success in ministry.
In 2004, soon after entering their new 600 seat sanctuary, Pastor Loya was recognized by the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) and Third Day Believer’s Network (3DBN), as one of the most significant and successful Hispanic pastors in the United States of America. The year 2014 marked another significant moment in the life of the ministry, as Cross Church completed their 1,800 seat sanctuary.
In 2017, Cross Church was recognized by Outreach Magazine as one of America’s 100 Fastest Growing Churches, recognition that was also obtained in 2011 and 2013.
Pastor Loya continues to serve as Senior Pastor of Cross Church. His pastoral duties include leading a church of over 3,000 people in weekend attendance, employing a full time church staff and developing church leaders. Pastor Loya has successfully launched several church plants and campuses and is in the process of launching more in the near future. He serves as a mentor and ministry coach to other Pastors in and around the area and across the U.S.
Pastor Loya is regarded as one of the emerging voices in America and prominent preachers of his generation. His unique style and bilingual speaking ability has taken him all over the nation ministering in some of America’s largest churches. He has also ministered abroad in such places as Germany, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica and several parts of Central America.
Aside from his pastoral duties, he serves as a Board Member of WIN Ministries and the National Hispanic Leadership Conference (NHCLC)-America’s Largest Hispanic Christian Organization that is leading the way in addressing issues such as poverty, healthcare, education reform, religious persecution, juvenile delinquency, etc.
Jaime and Rose Mary currently reside in the city of Harlingen, Texas and are the proud parents of four children – Hannah, Sarah, Isaiah and Josiah.