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.