Leadership

New Life Church is led by Senior Pastor Tim O'Dell and his wife Cheryl, Pastor James Louis and his wife Billie, and a six-member Church Council.
photo of Senior Pastor Tim O'Dell and his wife Cheryl

Tim & Cheryl O'Dell

Senior Pastor

Rev. Tim O’Dell has served as the lead pastor of New Life Church since August 2014. Prior to that, he served for many years as the volun­teer youth leader before becoming the youth/associate pastor. His heart and passion is to equip God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. (Eph. 4:12).
 
Tim is also a public school social studies teacher with almost 20 years of experience in the high school classroom. He earned his master’s degree in educa­tion from SUNY New Paltz, and his ministerial credentials from the New York District Assemblies of God School of Ministry.
 
Tim and his wife, Cheryl, have been happily married since 1996. Cheryl serves New Life as one of the worship leaders and leads the Women's Ministry. She is also a public school math teacher and has a master’s degree in education from SUNY New Paltz. Tim and Cheryl are the proud parents of four daughters: Jessie, Becky, Abby, and Georgia.

Pastor Tim and Cheryl will be stepping down as of April 14, 2024. Read more on the Lead Pastoral Search page.
Pastor James Louis and his wife Billie

James & Billie Louis

Assistant Pastor, Youth Pastor, Family Care Pastor

Rev. James Louis has served as the Family Care Assistant and Youth Pastor since 2018. He and his wife Billie have been active members of New Life since the early 2000s. James has his ministerial credentials from the New York District Assemblies of God School of Ministry. He was licensed in 2016, ordained in 2018, and then received his Ecclisatic Chaplaincy Endorsement from the Assembly of God in January of 2022.

As Family Care Pastor James’ supports the Senior Pastor and the congregation as a whole. He prepares and delivers sermons as needed, helps organize and lead, pray, promote spirituality, offers communion, and conducts religious ceremonies such as Baptisms, weddings and funerals. He counsels individuals and groups concerning their emotional, spiritual and personal needs and provides spiritual outreach with people in their homes, hospitals, prisons, and in Hospice.

James leads the Finish Line Youth Group with his wife Billie, as well as small groups and Bible studies.

James has been the Town of Saugerties Police Chaplain since 2020. He also serves on the Hudson Valley Leadership Committee with Assemblies of God, the Assembly of God Chaplain Association from Assembly of God, the International Conference of Police Chaplains, and the National Black Chaplain Association.

James did his basic training for the Army at Fort Dixon, NJ and enlisted at West Point. He’s been a Licensed Practicing Nurse (LPN) for over 20 years, including 15 as a Hospice nurse and currently as a cardiac nurse.

He and his wife Billie have been happily married since 1986. Billie has a bachelor’s degree from SUNY New Paltz in sociology/social work. She leads the Nursery ministry on Sunday mornings, leads Finish Line Youth Group with James, and serves with Girls Ministry.

They have a great passion for leading and protecting our youth. They believe our children are the greatest resources for the church and there is nothing more important and vulnerable that the enemy wants than your children. They have three children, Corrie (Graham), Sharee (Ruben), James (Stacey), and six grandchildren, Jace, Semaj, Natalie, John, Kamilah, and Reynna.

CHURCH COUNCIL
TRUSTEES / DEACONS

photo of Sharee Haromontelongo

Ruben Haromontelongo

Trustee
Ruben was elected to the board in January 2024. He is married to Sharee, who leads our children's ministries including KidZone and Girl's Ministry. They have two beautiful daughters.
photo of Jill Hummer

Jill Hummer

Trustee
Jill has been on the board since 2022. She is married to Scott Hummer and they have three children and four grandchildren. She enjoys working with the board members and serving on the hospitality and greeting committees.
photo of Melissa Lasher

Melissa Lasher

Trustee
Melissa has been on the board since 2020. In addition to serving as a board member at New Life, she leads our annual Operation Christmas Child. She loves photography and took most of the photos featured on this website! She works at the Baptist Home in Rhinebeck at a senior care facility overseeing the facility's environmental services.
photo of Pastor Tim O'Dell

Tim O'Dell

Chairman
Senior Pastor Tim O'Dell serves as Chairman of the Church Council. Read his complete bio above.
photo of Joel Panthappattu

Joel P.

Trustee
Joel was elected and has had the opportunity to serve on the church board since 2021. He is married to Jincy and has been happily married since 2016. They have two children, Annelise and Arielle. He enjoys helping with and participating in church community outreach events such as Hope Rocks.

Rachel Senor

Interim Chairperson
Trustee & Secretary
Rachel Senor began her three-year term in January 2023. She is married to Sean and loves being a stepmother to Teaghan and Devin. She is the Vice President for Account Strategy at OHO Interactive, a digital marketing agency working with clients across industries including higher education, healthcare, arts, and non-profit.  She serves on the Hospitality and Worship teams.

James Kimberly

Trustee
James was elected to the church board in January 2024. He has been married to Alaina for almost 16 years and has two beautiful daughters. They have attended New Life since 2011, and James is grateful for the opportunity to serve in this new capacity.
photo of Jeannie Bach

Jeannie Bach

Treasurer
Bio coming soon!