Leadership

New Life Church is led by Lead Pastor James Louis, his wife Billie, and a six-member Church Council.
Pastor James Louis and his wife Billie

James & Billie Louis

Lead pastor

Rev. James Louis was appointed Lead Pastor by the membership on Sunday, June 9, 2024. Prior to that, James 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 Ecclesiastic Chaplaincy Endorsement from the Assembly of God in January of 2022.

Pastor James supports the congregation as a whole. He prepares and delivers sermons, 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.

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. Ruben is also our Technical Director and oversees the audio/visual teams.
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 serves on the Hospitality and Greeting teams.
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 Melissa Lasher

James Louis

Lead Pastor & Chairman
Pastor James Louis serves as chair of the Board. Read his 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. He serves on the Hospitality team.

Rachel Senor

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, a digital marketing agency working with clients in higher education and healthcare.  She serves on the Hospitality team.

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.
photo of Jeannie Bach

Alayne Kerbert

Treasurer
In addition to serving as Treasurer, Alayne serves on our Cleaning Team.