PENN YAN
ASSEMBLY OF GOD
MEET OUR PEOPLE
Our church is made up of many different people, all coming together to worship and serve God!
Here you can see our different leaders and learn more about them!
Russell LaBarr
PASTOR
Bio: Russell was born and raised in the Penn Yan area. He has chosen to settle here with his wife of ten years and their four children. He serves in the church as Pastor. He also makes a mean Cup of Coffee every morning!
David Capone
Assistant Pastor
Bio: David has served as the Youth Pastor for our church from 2001 to 2017, and after a one year sabbatical, he has taken on the role of an Associate Pastor. He has a Bachelor's in Biology, a Masters in Early Childhood Education, and completed the New York District School of Ministry for his credentials with the Assemblies of God. David has had many jobs in the past including having been a high school science teacher, working at a home for developmentally disabled, working for the Census Bureau. He currently works as a Quality Control Technician in a lab at a chemical factory. He enjoys a wide variety of activites stretching from playing cards and video games, to traveling, camping, and various other outdoor activities. He is also famous for his spicy chocolate chip cookies.
Jon Switzer
Music Director
Bio: Jon's journey has literally taken him from coast to coast. Jon grew up in Penn Yan and graduated from Emmanuel Baptist Academy in 1991. After a year at Baptist Bible College, Jon took a job at a local grocery and served in his church in the sound ministry. Jon met his wife(Joann) in 1993 and they married in 1994. Jon and Joann moved to Joann's home town in Southern California in 1996. While in California Jon began to press into a vision given to him in his high school years of being a worship leader. They were also blessed with the 3 boys(Gabriel, Elijah and Noah). After 17 year in California and 15+ years in worship ministry, Jon and Joann felt God was calling them back to the Finger Lakes. Jon has been serving as the Music Director since February of 2014. He enjoys writing and playing music, hunting, boating, reading, personal development and spending time with his family and friends, But there is no place he'd rather be than in God's presence.
Mahlon Smoker
Elder
Bio: Coming Soon
Britt Hallenbeck
Elder
Bio: Britt was born and raised in Yates county. he moved to Northern Illinois in 1979. He met and married Dolly Walsh in 1980, they both gave their hearts and lives to Jesus Christ in 1981. When he and his family moved to New York, they joined the Penn Yan Assembly of God in 1989. Britt and Dolly have three children, Lisa, Travis, and Joshua. They have seven grandchildren. Britt is glad to serve his Pastor and church as an Elder. He enjoys hunting,hobby farming, camping, antique tractors,and gardening. He has been an Operating Engineer for thirty years, and has worked for C.P. Ward of Scottsville, New York for twenty five years.
Gerad Bryan
Elder
Bio: Gerad grew up in Branchport NY at around the age of 7 years old he gave his life to Christ and began sharing with close friends and family about his new relationship with Christ. At 10 years old he and his family started attending Penn Yan Assembly of God. When he was about13 years of age and his family moved into Penn Yan NY. Gerad attended various family and youth programs at PYAG as well as regular services, for a short time Gerad served as a youth leader and part of the youth worship team. Once Gerad was old enough he became a Member of PYAG and then shortly after started heading up Tech Ministries (Projection & Live Stream) At 19 years old Gerad moved out of his family home and to a small town called Stanley NY, where he worked full time in construction and continued to attend PYAG. In 2017 Gerad married his wife Ashley Bryan, they now own their own home back in Penn Yan NY and Gerad is a lead technician at SCT Computers.
Currently None
Youth Pastor
God has answered our prayer and not only brought youth, but also leaders of a local youth group (Hilltop Youth Group).
This Youth group was established long before the leaders started to come to our church and continues to be a youth group that multiple churches have their youth involved in.
If you have any questions about this then please feel free to reach out.