Discover our leaders

LNPC STAFF

Rev. Jim Szeyller

Senior Pastor & Head of Staff

As a senior pastor, Jim has expanded on his passions of youth, missions and evangelism, to embrace both worship and spiritual formation as transformative experiences for every member of the church family. Jim maintains a strong interest in church revitalization and growth as well as exploring what church can become in our rapidly changing culture and world.In his spare time Jim still enjoys almost all sports with particular passions for the Chargers, Padres, and New York Rangers. Jim enjoys travel with his wife Becky, particularly to the Holy land, as well as reading, fishing, gardening, and anything to do with his grandchildren.

Rev. Sara McCurdy

Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care

Pastor Sara McCurdy is an Honorably Retired Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Minister of Word and Sacrament who is serving LNPC as the Temporary Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care. Sara is a native Californian who received a M.A. in Psychology at Cal State University Long Beach and a M.Div. at San Francisco Theological Seminary.  Prior to her ordination Sara worked for many years as a Mental Health Counselor both in the public and private sector.
Sara was ordained to ministry by the Presbytery of Los Ranchos on November 10, 2002.  Her ordination service was held at LNPC. After ordination Sara served Fullerton First Presbyterian as Interim Associate for Christian Education and Acting Co-Head of Staff.  She then received a call from Westminster Presbyterian in Westlake Village, CA. where she served as Associate Pastor followed by a call to First Presbyterian Sherman Oaks as Interim Solo Pastor.  In 2008 Sara received a call from Morningside Presbyterian Church where she served as Solo Pastor until her retirement in 2016.  After retirement Sara returned to ministry in the local church at First Presbyterian Redlands as Bridge Head of Staff Pastor and Palm Springs Presbyterian as Temporary Pastor.  She enjoyed serving both Los Ranchos and Riverside Presbyteries on the Committee on Ministry (COM). 
Sara describes herself as an outgoing person who takes delight in people of all ages.  While she is basically serious and contemplative, Sara has a strong sense of fun and truly loves the fellowship of the local church.  She is passionate about all aspects of ordained ministry.
Sara’s husband, Jim, is a retired United Airlines pilot.  She and Jim live in Mission Viejo.  Sara and Jim have six grown children and nine grandchildren.  She enjoys reading, cooking, spending time with family, her dog, Carter, and two cats.          

Lee Lee Truong-Sawicki

Director of Music Ministry

Lee Lee joined LNPC in the fall of 2006. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Music Education with a Vocal-Choral Emphasis from California State University, Fullerton and is certified in the Orff-Schulwerk Music and Movement for Children teaching approach. She has completed Master Classes in Conducting, attended numerous conducting symposiums, and is certified in the Orff-Schulwerk Music and Movement for Children teaching approach. Currently, Lee Lee follows her passion of enabling and educating children in Khoi Chorus and Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church.

Stephanie Muck

Office Manager

Stephanie joined the staff at LNPC in January of 2020. After working for an iconic California candy company for almost 10 years, she feels blessed to apply her administrative skill-set as office manager and enjoys helping others to keep things running smoothly around the LNPC campus. Originally from the Bay Area, she moved to Mission Viejo with her husband, Steve, in 1998. Together, they have four adult children and three grandchildren, who all love to vacation together at Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center at Lake Tahoe in the summer. Steve and Stephanie joined LNPC as members in December of 2021. When not in the office, Stephanie enjoys traveling, reading historical novels, and e-biking.

Ben Roebuck

Youth Ministry & Technical Director

As technical director and assisting with youth ministry, Ben has been able to share his passion for live technical production in addition to the spiritual development and growth of students alongside their personal walk with Christ. He has been on the production team for numerous touring acts across the country, from small venues to stadiums, and many of these events have been within the sphere of contemporary Christian music. Ben has witnessed LNPC through many years and adaptations, notably with the growth of the expanding technical capabilities and resources. He is very encouraged and thankful to be able to positively pour into the youth ministry that he once was a part of. When not designing graphics or programming lighting at church, Ben enjoys live music, fishing, skiing, rollercoasters, traveling and rooting for the Padres!

Suk Choi

Organist

Suk learned to play piano at an early age. As a child, she accompanied the choir at her family’s church, where her piano teacher directed. Ever since, she got the bench of either piano or organ whenever there was one. She went on to obtain a B.A. in Piano from Seoul National University. When her children started school, she pursued her Master’s degree in Organ Performance from SUNY Buffalo with the encouragement of her husband. In 2004, she and her family moved to Southern California and she joined Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church that same year. She loves to play Mark Hayes’ piano music. She and her family enjoy Southern California living, especially the variety of ethnic food.

Session
+Elders

Local Presbyterian churches are governed by Session, which consists of church pastoral staff and elders. Twelve elders are elected by the congregation to staggered three-year terms.
LNPC's Session meets in Gard Hall on the fourth Monday of every month at 6:00 pm. Sitting Elders chair or co-chair the ministry teams of the church. 

Session

Session Moderator: Rev. James Szeyller
Clerk of Session: Nancy LeBlanc
Treasurer: Tom Stocksdale

Elders

Class of 2025: John Flannery, Cassandra Ondryas and Carol Stocksdale, Steve Galloway
Class of 2026: Debbie Heath, Carolyn Knutson, Fred Ehlers, Steve Moorehead
Class of 2027: Chris Green, Shannon Jenkins, Greg Johnson, Richard Parry

Ministry Team Leaders

Buildings & Grounds: Greg Johnson
Communications:  Carol Stocksdale
Congregational Life:  John Flannery and Carolyn Knutson
Finance:   Steve Galloway, Richard Parry
Missions:   Cassandra Ondryas and Debbie Heath
Personnel:   Shannon Jenkins
Safety: Steve Moorehead
Stewardship: Fred Ehlers
Worship and Music:  Chris Green

Deacons

The deacons are elected to three-year terms. They provide leadership by maintaining close contact with church members and providing a variety of services. 

Leaders

Moderator: Susie Hess
Secretary: Susie Hess

Deacons

Class of 2025: Stephanie Muck, Susie Hess, Dori Moorehead
Class of 2026: Ted Rose, Pat Nunnikhoven
Class of 2027: Veda Chappell, Lori Galloway, Becky Szeyller

Parishes

Parish 1: Becky Szeyller
Parish 2: -
Parish 3: Lori Galloway
Parish 4: Veda Chappell
Parish 5: Stephanie Muck
Parish 6: Ted Rose
Parish 7: Susie Hess
Parish 8: -
Parish 9: Pat Nunnikhoven
Parish 10: Dori Moorehead