Staff
Arlen Vernava, Intentional Interim Pastor
Amanda Swartley, Minister of Congregational Life
Amanda grew up in Newport News, VA and came to Harrisonburg by way of EMU. While at EMU she earned a BS in Early Childhood Education and met her husband, Michael. After teaching for 5 years in the public school system, Amanda transitioned to stay-at-home mom as she and Michael added to their family and welcomed their twins, Nora and James, and their youngest, Adelyn.
Not ready to return to the classroom, Amanda joined the Lindale staff in 2016 as Administrative Assistant. It was during this time frame that Amanda found a love for caring for congregants and working with the pastoral team to further the mission of the church. Serving as a Director of a local preschool and teaching four days a week solidified the desire to continue working with children in a church setting. In November of 2022, Amanda worked as Co-Director of Children's Ministries at Lindale and has now transitioned to Minister of Congregational Life where she finds meaningful, life-giving work in meeting people exactly where they are in all ages, stages, and phases of life.
She also enjoys ministering in a variety of ways as she looks to increase ways to connect through Bible study, small group ministry, children's ministry, and developing curriculum for use in the church setting. Amanda enjoys spending time with her family, walking/hiking with her goldendoodle (Penny), baking, reading, swimming, and playing flute and piano.
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Freddy & Elena Satalaya, Youth Ministers
Freddy and Elena are from Iquitos, Peru and Harrisonburg, Virginia, respectively. They met in Peru in 2017, married in 2019, and served together in children's and youth ministry in Peru for 5 years before coming to serve at Lindale in 2023. They seek to create meaningful connections with youth and adolescents rooted in Christ, and to be an encouragement to young people as they walk with the Lord. Freddy and Elena enjoy time spent with their family, cooking, and traveling.
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Sherrie Johndrow, Administrative Assistant
Sherrie grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and came to Harrisonburg to attend EMU. During that time she began attending Lindale and the college age Sunday School class. She stayed in Harrisonburg after graduation and began working at Red Front and worked there in various roles for 20 years. Most recently she worked at Bridgewater Foods.
Keeping up with her 8 year old son currently takes much of her time, but genealogy and reading are favorite pastimes.
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Theresa Horst, LCCP Director
Theresa is originally from Pottsville, PA and has lived in the Valley for 25 years. She has 20+ years of experience working with children; as a pediatric dental hygienist, as a teacher in Pennsylvania, and as a substitute teacher for Harrisonburg City Schools, during which she also offered after school care in her home for her neighborhood children. God opened the door for her to serve as the first staff person for the Lindale Child Care Program and has worked there from the beginning in 1996. She oversees three staff during the school year, and five-six staff during the summer months. Theresa enjoys reading, entertaining, spending time with friends, and cheering for the Philadelphia Eagles and Flyers.
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