LEADERSHIP
-
Hershel Adams
Senior Pastor
Pastor Hershel shares messages from God's word that are very insightful, practical and encouraging. You can sense his love and passion for people as he opens his heart every week to share God's word with us. He has a very dynamic and down to earth personality that motivates people to discover their own uniqueness and then to discover how God wants them to minister in this world. Pastor Hershel's hearts desire is to see every person experience fulfillment in life by understanding, accepting and achieving his or her God-given purpose.
Pastor Hershel is the founding and senior pastor of Sonlight Church. He was born in Rossville, Georgia, where he grew up and met his wife, Deena. They have been married since 1981 and have three married children, daughters Sheleena and Jenna, and son Jeremy, as well as five beautiful grandchildren. He graduated from Liberty University with a Masters of Divinity and Florida Tech with his M.B.A. -
Jason Underwood
Family Pastor
Pastor Jason and his wife Kathleen have three children, Brooke, Maggie and Alex. Jason is a seasoned and compassionate family pastor dedicated to nurturing the spiritual growth of the next generation. With over 20 years of pastoral experience, Jason has become a trusted leader, mentor, and guide for families within the vibrant community of Sonlight Church.
As the Family Pastor at Sonlight Church, Jason oversees the dynamic youth and children's ministry teams, working tirelessly to create an environment where young hearts can connect with the message of faith. His passion for fostering a love for God in the hearts of children and teens is evident in the vibrant and inclusive programs he has developed.
Jason's journey in pastoral ministry began as a youth pastor, where he discovered his gift for connecting with young minds and inspiring them to explore their faith. His commitment to education led him to serve as an educational pastor, further emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to spiritual growth. This diverse experience laid a strong foundation for his role as a lead pastor in a church plant, where he played a pivotal role in building a community from the ground up.
Known for his approachable demeanor and genuine love for people, Jason has become a pillar of support for families navigating the challenges of faith and life. His teachings are not only grounded in biblical wisdom but also infused with practical insights that resonate with individuals of all ages.
-
Abby Gadd
Worship and Communications Leader
Abby and her husband Joel have lived in the area since 2022, when Joel was stationed here during his time in the Coast Guard. They love exploring the great outdoors and going to the gym, watching movies together, and trying strange health-food cooking recipes they find on the internet.
Abby believes worship has always been at the center of her calling. She is passionate about creating spaces where people can encounter God through Spirit-filled worship, whether they’ve been walking with Him for years or are seeking Him for the first time. She is passionate about crafting moments where people aren’t just singing songs, but are encountering the life-changing power of Jesus Christ.
-
Bob Vogler
Church Administrator
Bob became a part of the Sonlight team in March, 2007. He grew up in New Jersey and joined the Navy in 1976 where he met his wonderful wife Susan. Both Bob and Susan are retired Navy Nurses and have two terrific children, Becky and Robbie. With over 15 years of experience dealing with church administration and finances, Bob has been called to serve as a church administrator for Sonlight. He believes in applying Biblical principles in handling the resources that God has provided Sonlight.
-
Jeff Latham
Kid's Director
Jeff and his wife Carrie have two children, Jeffery and Alyssa, and two grandchildren, Dylan and Paisley. He was born and raised in Chesapeake and graduated from Indian River High School. Jeff has been working at local Volvo dealerships for 28 years and is currently the Service Manager for two stores. He loves the outdoors, hunting and playing sports. The Lord used his love for softball to bring him into His Kingdom. He has been attending Sonlight since 2009. He gave his life to the Lord in November of 2009 and was baptized January 2010. Jeff has an incredible heart for kids and has been working in the Children's ministry since 2010 and began leading the ministry in October 2016. He also leads a life group and serves on the greeter team. He loves the Lord and Sonlight Church.
-
Deena Adams
Ministry Assistant
As the wife of our senior pastor, Deena has been involved in serving at Sonlight as a volunteer and/or paid staff member, since the church began in September 1999. Deena’s God-given purpose is to be a help-mate to her husband Hershel and help him be successful in what God has called him to do. She feels the best way to accomplish that purpose is by working alongside him in the daily ministry of the church as the ministry assistant to our staff. Deena loves the local church and enjoys serving by leading the greeter ministry team and serving on our women's ministry team. When she isn't serving in ministry, you can probably find her spending time with their grandchildren, reading, or volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and neglected children in our Chesapeake Foster Care and Juvenile Court System.