Meet the team.
Rev. Jason Shambach
Senior Pastor
Pastor Jason grew up in central PA, surrounded by a family that passionately loved Jesus. He studied at Houghton University where he felt a call to ministry and then earned a MDiv at Asbury Theological Seminary. After graduating, he served as a pastor in western NY for 9 years. He and his wife, Daniella, have 4 children. The Shambachs love hosting people at their home in Lake George and enjoy playing board games as a family! Jason is also an avid outdoorsman and also has an undergrad degree in Biology!
Rev. Laurie Smalley
Connections Pastor
Pastor Laurie and her husband, Bob, moved to Brant Lake from Houghton, NY where they lived for 31 years. After graduating from Houghton, she completed her MA and DMin degrees at Logos Int'l University. She taught at Houghton Academy and University as well as served as an Assistant Pastor at Houghton Wesleyan. She enjoys working alongside Jason and Danie, who she's known since their college days. Laurie loves spending time with family, especially their children and 2 grandsons. She also enjoys playing the harp, pickleball, kayaking and hiking.
Rev. Loren Gage
Pastoral Care
Loren and his wife Carol live in Queensbury and have 2 married daughters and 2 granddaughters. Loren accepted the call to pastoral ministry while attending United Wesleyan College. He served in 2 Wesleyan Churches and a Free Methodist Church for 22 years. Loren & Carol worked as foster parents at Hephzibah Children’s home. He retired from full-time ministry in 2016. To extend his care outside the church Loren has worked at GF Hospital for 18 years as a Patient Companion. Loren's joy comes by serving God, through serving His people.
Judy Askins
Administrative Assistant
Judy and her husband, Gary, live in Lake Luzerne. Judy is the Administrative Assistant and Assistant Financial Manager here at Hadley Luzerne Wesleyan Church since 2016 and has been a member since 2012. Judy is married to Gary, they have three children and 6 grandchildren.
Brenda Hoffman
Finance Manager/ Women's Min.
Saved by Jesus in 2002, Brenda has been serving and attending HLWC for the past 19 years. Brenda and her husband Raymond live in Hadley and have two sons. Brenda has led several Financial Peace University classes and is extremely passionate about educating others in the area of personal finance. Brenda is a Business Teacher at Lake George Jr/Sr High School. She enjoys spending time and socializing with friends and family, as well as exercising, cooking, and reading.
Tom Wessling
Men's Ministry
Tom and his wife, Michele, live in Diamond Point. Tom attended a Wesleyan church as a young adult and like a prodigal son began attending HLWC later in life and recommitted his life to Christ. He and his wife, Michele, own and operate a motel in Lake George. Tom spends his summers giving private boat trips to families visiting Lake George. He and Michele enjoy spending time with their 3 children and 5 grandchildren. They also enjoy motorcycle and boat rides and visiting Tom’s mother in Florida.
Zac & Erin Smalley
Youth Ministry
Zac, his wife Erin, and their two boys live in Hague. Zac grew up in Houghton, NY and graduated from Houghton College with a major in Outdoor Recreation and a minor in Youth Ministry. For 5 years, Zac and Erin served as the Program Directors a Christian Youth Ranch in Durango, Colorado. Zac currently works as the Program Director at Silver Bay YMCA on the northern end of Lake George. In his free time Zac enjoys hunting, disc golf, and spending time with his family.
Daniella Shambach
Children's Ministry
Daniella, Jason, and their 4 children live in Lake George. She holds an Elementary Ed degree from Houghton University, and a masters in Special Ed from Asbury University. She has worked as a childcare provider, Sunday school teacher, and VBS director. She currently teaches preschool at the Head Start in Lake Luzerne. In her free time she loves spending time outdoors: gardening, kayaking, biking and hiking. She aspires to become an ADK 46er and hopes to visit all the National Parks!
Currently in Transition...
Music Ministry
Sue Wyman
Connections Cafe Manager
Sue has been attending HLWC since 2005, when she accepted Christ into her heart. Sue has volunteered over the years in many areas: children’s worship, teens ministry, LBA Secretary and Cafe Manager with always keeping her focus on leading others to Christ. Sue lives in Glens Falls and enjoys spending time with her 3 grown children, especially their annual trip to Cape May, NJ. Sue has worked for GF Hospital for 35 years and is currently a Nurse Manager in the Perioperative Department. Sue enjoys time spent socializing with friends and family along with loving on her animals.
Jerry Lucia
Vice Chair of LBA
Jerry, his wife Evie, and their 3 children live on a beautiful farm in Stony Creek.