A church family called #ICMFAM
Iglesia Cristiana Misericordia sits on East Del Mar Boulevard in Laredo, Texas, a border city that has shaped the congregation's identity since its beginning. The church's tagline, #ICMFAM, captures what leaders describe as the heartbeat of the ministry: a multi-generational family that gathers around the preaching of the Word, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the everyday rhythms of life along the Rio Grande. Services are held in Spanish, with English-language resources available through the church's online presence.
Founder and Lead Pastor Rev. Gilberto Vélez and his wife Zulma Vélez lead the Laredo campus alongside Rev. Sam and Nicole Vélez. The pastoral team also includes Children's Pastors Rev. Jeff and Paula Miller, Youth Pastors Pastor Alex and Gaby Valenzuela, Pastoral Care Pastor Rev. Maribel Hernández, Assistant Children's Pastor Bethany Santos, and Counseling Ministry Pastor Dra. Sylvia Sanchez.
Four campuses across the border
Iglesia Cristiana Misericordia is one church with four locations, each pastored by a couple who oversee the local body. The main Laredo campus is at 4519 E. Del Mar Blvd., Laredo, TX 78041, and can be reached at 956-712-2484.
To the northwest of Laredo, the El Cenizo location is known as El Tabernáculo AD and meets at 3514 Solis, El Cenizo, TX 78046 (956-285-1531). It is pastored by Rev. Alicia and Juan Díaz. Across the international bridge, ICM Nuevo Laredo meets at Av. Jesús Carranza #3333 Col. Madero in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, and is pastored by Pastor Miguel and Bertha Valenzuela (+52 867-714-5569). To the east of Laredo, ICM Zapata meets at 5102 Peña Lane, Zapata, TX 78076, under Pastor Jaziel and Abigal Hernández (956-750-3240). Each campus shares the same vision while serving its own neighborhood.
Sundays and Wednesdays around the Word
The Laredo campus holds its main worship gathering on Sundays at 11:30 a.m., with a midweek service on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Both services are livestreamed on YouTube, so anyone who cannot attend in person can join online. Recent messages include Rev. Gilberto Vélez preaching on the seriousness of sin and the reality of eternal judgment, Dra. Lis Milland teaching on the peace of God, and Pastor Gabby Mejia preaching on living from the oil, a sermon title that reflects the congregation's Pentecostal orientation.
Visitors planning a first trip can find directions, contact details for each campus, and a list of what to expect at the "Visítanos" page. The church also encourages newcomers to register for online membership classes to learn more about the beliefs and values of the body.
Children, youth, and young adults
Three age-graded ministries anchor the next generation at ICM. ICM Kids, led by Rev. Jeff and Paula Miller with Pastor Bethany Santos, produces an online children's program called Agape Avenue, with songs, lessons, and skits designed for kids watching from home or in service.
412 Youth is the middle-school and high-school ministry, pastored by Alex and Gaby Valenzuela. Its name, drawn from Psalm 119:105, signals a focus on Scripture as a lamp for the walk of teenagers. NOVA is the young-adult community for college-age students and young professionals, with its own gatherings, social media presence, and small-group rhythms.
Each summer the children's ministry organizes Camp Adonai, an overnight camp held offsite for kids who have completed the relevant grade level. Registration opens early in the year and is handled through the church's online event system.
Connection groups, men, women, and counseling
Beyond the Sunday and Wednesday services, members are encouraged to plug into Grupos de Conexión, the church's network of small groups. These groups meet throughout the week in homes and on campus for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship, and are described as the primary place where members build deeper relationships and grow in the Word.
Two gender-specific ministries serve adults. The Ministerio de Varones gives men a setting for healthy, encouraging, and inspiring fellowship and a deeper walk with Christ. The Ministerio de Mujeres gathers women for similar encouragement, with its own fellowship events. Both ministries maintain active online communities.
The Ministerio de Consejería, led by Dra. Sylvia Sanchez, provides pastoral counseling for members and regular attenders navigating personal, family, or spiritual struggles. The church also operates a ministry called Gratitud & Esperanza, which supports families of those hearing the Gospel in prisons in Laredo and reaches out to single parents, widows, and abandoned families experiencing extreme financial need.
Giving, the app, and staying connected
Tithes and offerings can be given online through PushPay, and the church invites members to set up recurring donations from home. A free ICM mobile app, available on iOS and Google Play through Tithe.ly, gives the congregation access to sermons, events, online giving, and the church calendar from a phone.
The church also stays in touch through Facebook, Instagram, and SMS text updates that include service reminders, event announcements, volunteer opportunities, and a "We Missed You" note for anyone who has been away.
Volunteers form the backbone of ICM. From greeting and worship to children's classes and event support, the church invites newcomers to register to serve and to discover how they can be part of what God is doing through the congregation across Laredo, El Cenizo, Nuevo Laredo, and Zapata.