Melissa Smith Nelson is a native of Mission , Texas and grew up in the First Uunited Methodist Church of Mission. After
graduating from Pan American University of Edinburg (now UTPA), Pastor Melissa received her Masters in Theology from the Perkins
School of Theology at Southern methodist University. While in seminary she did an internship at Travis Park UMC in San
Antonio and then went on to do an overseas residency in Ganta, Liberia W. Africa.
Following seminary,
Pastor Melissa served as pastor at Taft FUMC, Odem FUMC, and Jefferson UMC in San Antonio. She has, in her ministry, served
in three churches in Corpus Christi FUMC, Asbury UMC, and Wesley UMC . She is the mother of two young adult sons,
Drew and Fletcher. She has been a pastor with the United Methodist Church for thirty-four years. She and her husband,
Huck, are looking forward to moving to San Benito and serving the Methodist Churches in Los Fresnos and San Benito.
Maira L. Gutierrez, Custodian
Being an artist, Rudy tends to wear many hats wherever he goes and this is true here at FUMC San Benito. Aside from working
in the office he is also the "web guy". Rudy is surely a child of the Rio Grande Valley...born in Harlingen,
raised in Brownsville, graduated from Los Fresnos High School, and currently living in San Benito. He has four children-
Taylor, Sierra, Phoenix and Raeden and is married to Patricia (from Rio Hondo!). Rudy is currently a student with
the University of Phoenix Online finishing his degree in Media Arts & Visual Communications. During the school year
he is the art teacher at Coram Deo Classical Academy in Brownsville. Throughout the year he is a freelance graphic
artist, fine artist and student and assistant instructor at Bei Shaolin Kung Fu in Harlingen.
"Happy moments, praise God...Difficult moments, seek God...Quiet moments, worship God...Every moment, thank God." -unknown
Arcelia G. Aguilar, MSN, RN,
Wesley Nurse | Monday - Friday 8-12 pm
Rudy Hyde, Communications Coordinator
Connie Morrison, Organist
Sunday School/ Small Group
9:15 AM- Children/ Youth
9:15 AM- Adults
Worship Service
10:30 AM
Amira Maya- Martinez, M.Ed., LPC-Intern
Amira Maya-Martinez earned her Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master's degree in Counseling at the University of Texas at Brownsville
and Texas Southmost College. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern in the State of Texas. Her professional experience includes
counseling individuals, families, and couples through individual and group sessions and in the field of social service. She is also
trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques and theory to address issues that include: depression, anxiety, marital, parenting,
stress, problems with self-esteem, abuse, domestic violence and grief. Ms. Amira Maya-Martinez is a member of the Texas Counseling
Association and American Counseling Association.
