MERGER STORY

Cross Church has been actively providing ministry in the Upper Valley since 2017 and is now merging its local campus in the Mission, TX area with another recognized local ministry, Iglesia del Pueblo (IDP). The campus will now be called the Cross Church IDP Campus.

Cross Church was founded by Pastors Jaime and Rose Mary Loya in 1995, and since its inception 26 years ago, it has served thousands of families in the region through church services, educational programs, and outreach endeavors. The family-focused, community-oriented church has nearly 4,000 members and, in recent years, has grown to five locations across the Rio Grande Valley. In addition to the IDP campus, the church has campuses in Brownsville, Raymondville, San Benito, and Laguna Vista, Texas.

The church's mission is to Discover, Develop, and Deploy.
Iglesia del Pueblo was founded in 1987 by Pastors Juan and Rosalinda de la Garza in Mission, Texas. Throughout its 33-year history, IDP grew to 2,000 members and quickly became a thriving church ministry in the Upper Valley, garnering attention and recognition from community leaders. Pastor Juan de la Garza and his ministry have offered numerous community programs and have served thousands of families over the years with various outreach efforts, including partnerships with local cities and other nonprofit organizations.

“We consider it a blessing to join our ministry with Cross Church in the McAllen area. Pastor Loya and Cross Church are a prominent ministry in our region and across the country. We believe that God has brought our ministries together, and we look forward to continuing to reach more people with the gospel of Jesus Christ and being a resource to our communities,” said Pastor Juan de la Garza.

“It’s an exciting season for our church and team. This merger of our McAllen campus with IDP allows us to do more and reach more people. We believe in the strength of partnerships, and we are honored that Pastor Juan de la Garza and his congregation have seen fit to become part of our ministry. Cross Church will continue to provide Christ-centered ministry for families and expand our reach to fulfill our mission and offer excellent ministry to the Upper Valley," said Pastor Jaime Loya.

The official launch of the Cross Church IDP Campus was on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021. The campus offers two services to the community: 10 a.m. English service and a 12 p.m. Spanish service at the Cimarron Country Club, 1200 S. Shary Rd, Mission, TX.

In December 2024, Cross Church will open a new building for the IDP Campus, offering expanded facilities to better serve the growing congregation and community. This new space will enhance the church’s ability to host more programs and services, providing greater opportunities for fellowship, worship, and outreach as the church continues its mission in the region.