Staff

Mark Lyndaker-Studer

Pastor Mark Lyndaker-Studer serves as Pastor and head of staff, providing dedicated leadership to the congregation since 2007. As a third-generation minister, he upholds a family tradition of service; his two aunts were also pastors, and his grandfather was distinguished for his involvement in the civil rights movement. This legacy of faith and advocacy continues to inform Pastor Lyndaker-Studer’s approach to ministry today.

Mark grew up in California and completed his Religious Studies degree at Sacramento State University. He spent six years as Director of Youth Ministries and Contemporary Worship at Carmichael Presbyterian Church. In 2001, he relocated to the Northeast to attend Princeton Theological Seminary, where he served as an intern at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City. Following his seminary studies, Mark became associate pastor at Media Presbyterian Church and then accepted the Call to be the pastor at Neshaminy-Warwick Presbyterian.

Pastor Mark is dedicated to spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ through both speech and action. His vision is to create a welcoming environment where people from every background feel included. Inspired by Christ’s grace, he encourages us to show love to God and one another, reflecting the love we have received.

In addition, Mark chairs the West Kensington Ministry board in Philadelphia, playing a vital role in supporting the expression of God’s love in one of the city’s most impoverished neighborhoods.

Mark and his wife Anita are blessed with two wonderful children, Emma and Annalyn. When he’s not serving as a pastor, Mark has a passion for music and he’s always up for a live concert. Back in the 1990s, Mark and his brother formed a band called Azure Circle. While the band didn’t exactly make it to the top of the charts, it did give Mark plenty of material for sermon illustrations—and maybe a few questionable haircuts.

Mark is an avid reader and movie enthusiast—he can quote classics and recommend a good book for just about any occasion. He cheers for the San Diego Padres, but it’s his unwavering loyalty to the Sacramento Kings that has turned him into a true master of patience. After all, supporting the Kings is practically a spiritual discipline; Mark has learned to wait, hope, and celebrate victories, no matter how rare (or accidental) they may be.

Suzanne Zak

Director of Music
suzanne.zak@nwpc.net

Suzanne Zak, a pianist and educator, came to NWPC in 2008. Her musical journey started at the age of six. After hearing the pianist of a touring musical group perform at her childhood church, she knew music was her calling, specifically the piano. Pursuing that passion, she received her B.S. in Music Education from Cairn University and her M.M from SUNY Purchase college in piano performance. Suzanne received her Doctorate in Music and Music education at Columbia University.
At NWPC, she enjoys directing the Sanctuary choir, the teen choir and the children’s choir as well as special music. The Christmas Cantata with choirs and orchestra is a highlight of the Christmas season. Suzanne enjoys the diversity of the church’s music, both traditional and contemporary, allowing one to experience worship in a variety of ways. Having performed many solo piano recitals as well as piano concertos, Suzanne continues to develop her pianistic skills. As a music educator, Suzanne specializes in higher education, music e-learning, teaching online music at Adelphi University. Suzanne and her husband Steve are proud parents of their Alexandra. .

Valerie Pendrak

Director of Youth Ministries
youthdirector@nwpc.net

Valerie is a lifelong member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Southampton. Her faith journey began in childhood and has taken shape through her active involvement with children and youth ministries—roles that bring her genuine joy and fulfillment. Whether teaching Vacation Bible School, leading Sunday school classes, guiding mission trips, or serving as a mentor for the youth group, Valerie loves nurturing young people and helping them grow in faith. Her passion and energy shine through in every hands-on ministry experience, creating positive, lasting memories for everyone she works with.
Valerie earned her B.A. in Communication Studies (Policy, Regulation, and Advocacy) with a Minor in Sports and Recreation Management from Temple University, followed by a Master of Science in Sports Management from Liberty University. Bringing her heart for community and ministry to her professional life, Valerie works full time as the Philanthropy and Community Outreach Manager for Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity. She enjoys connecting with families and young people, building relationships that make a real difference. Outside of work, Valerie loves spending time outdoors, cheering on Philly sports teams, and sharing laughter with friends and family.

Lisa Ceraso

Director of Children’s Ministries
childrensdirector@nwpc.net

Lisa Ceraso has been working as a preschool teacher in Huntingdon Valley, PA for over 10 years. She takes pride in creating a learning environment where children and families feel valued and can be successful in their academic and personal growth. Prior to this, she worked as an adjunct instructor at Penn State Abington and Community College of Philadelphia and as a Counselor at Community College of Philadelphia. She studied at Temple University and Widener University to achieve a degree in Clinical Psychology.
Lisa loves to read novels, spend time outdoors and learn about natural ways to maintain health. She is a big fan of essential oils! Lisa’s greatest joy has been to raise her three children with her husband Frank. Her dream vacation is to visit with her family the town in Italy where her parents were born and live there as “locals” for a month. Lisa loves to sing, especially with her daughter Daniella, and has been part of worship teams at her local churches. She finds music to be an important way to draw people closer to God. She hopes to grow more deeply in her faith as she serves the children and families at NWPC.

Keith Rounds

Worship Leader

Keith Rounds was born and bred at Neshaminy-Warwick. At a young age, Keith attended The American Boychoir School in Princeton, NJ. For those middle school years, he recorded and toured the country. Keith continued singing in choirs throughout high school and toured Europe and Asia before becoming a music major at Bucks County Community College studying both vocal and jazz performance.
Keith has been a contemporary worship leader since 2005 and has led worship at Community Church of Feasterville and The Crossing before returning to his home church to lead worship in 2010. In 2017 Keith recorded and produced a Christmas album as a benefit for Neshaminy-Warwick and just recently released his first album “Two Twenty Two” with his band, the Keith Rounds Band.
When he isn’t glued to an instrument, Keith enjoys biking, running, and spending time with his wife Chelsea and his daughter Natalee. Keith also loves the Philadelphia Union, Chelsea FC, Formula 1, and the Tour de France. He has assured his wife that they will get to the Eiffel Tower one day with or without cycling.

Marianne Tierney

Business Manager
financemanager@nwpc.net

Marianne Tierney has over 40 years’ experience in business operations, with a strong background in accounting. She has previously worked for two nonprofit music organizations in Philadelphia. Marianne and her husband Anthony live in Warrington and enjoy ballroom dancing, cooking, good wine and spending time with family and friends.

Cheryl Overton

Church Administrator
cheryl.overton@nwpc.net

Cheryl Overton has been the Church Administrator at Neshaminy-Warwick Presbyterian Church for over 17 years. She grew up in Bucks County, and has lived in Warwick Township most of her life. She has two children, her son Tyler and daughter Haley. She is also grandmother to her toddler grandson.
Cheryl enjoys the outdoors… anything from kayaking to taking care of her chickens. She also enjoys making pottery and jewelry. Cheryl enjoys her job, especially appreciating the people and relationships she has formed here at NWPC over the years.