Reverand Lory Ryan bio:

Reverend Lory D. Ryan was installed as pastor to the Presbyterian Church of Mountain Top, Mountain Top PA on March 19th 2023. 

The service was held at 3:00 p.m. and was  moderated by David Oriel.

Other members of the Presbyterian Community and the Presbyterian Church of Mountain Top were participants in Pastor Lory's and  Mountain Top's special day.

Those serving were:

Rev. James Thyren

Re. Martha Jordan

Rev. Sharan Knoel

Dr. Susan Malkemes, Ruling Elder Presbyterian Church Mountain Top

Mr. Steve Bachman, Ruling Elder Presbyterian Church Mountain Top

Mrs. Cynthia Riker

Dr. Richard R. Ryan, Morrisville Presbyterian Church

Rev. Dr. Phillip W. Oehler Sr. Delivered the sermon, "Heart Seeing"

 I grew up in Ewing Township, New Jersey in a Presbyterian family. My call story begins at age 16 after preaching my first sermon at Vincentown Baptist Church in Vincentown, New Jersey, where my grandfather was a member. A graduate from Susquehanna University in 1985 with a BA in Economics, I was inducted into the Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society for Social Sciences. After college, I began a career as a commercial insurance professional, working 28 years advancing to manager level positions in underwriting, sales, and marketing. God’s call on my life includes using my commercial insurance experience to assist the Presbytery and individual churches, and I am open to the Holy Spirit to use my life and my secular vocation experiences in ministry. 

     A graduate of New Brunswick Theological Seminary, I attended seminary part-time while working full time in my insurance career. I completed my Master of Divinity degree graduating Cum Laude in May 2009, and completed an extended unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at the JFK Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey. Working in collaboration with the Office of Pastoral Care at JFK Medical Center and the Metuchen Clergy Association, I authored the first multi-faith Prayer Book for the JFK Medical Center Pastoral Care Department in August 2009.

     My transition to full time ministry began in February 2015 when I was Ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the PC(USA), and installed as Pastor in my current call in Marlton, New Jersey. I joined with clergy of all faiths in Marlton to participate in the Evesham Township Police Department’s Police Chaplain Program, completing the required training and was sworn in as a member of the Evesham Township Police Department in July 2015. In October 2017 I became the Police Chaplain Coordinator, responsible for 13 police chaplain volunteers, and I continue in this volunteer role responding to calls in the community, and as a resource for 98 sworn in officers.

    An avid outdoorsman I am both a “mountain” and a “beach person,” and enjoy camping, hiking, and fishing. I am an Eagle Scout, and Life Member of the National Eagle Scout Association, and registered BSA Assistant Scoutmaster. My wife Cindy and I enjoy hiking trails together, and we recently did a challenging trail in Montreat, NC to the top of Lookout Mountain during our vacation in April 2022. Cindy and I currently reside in Marlton, New Jersey and are “empty nesters” and first time grandparents!Pastor Ryan has served God and his community through multiple organizations including the BurlingtonCounty Police Chaplains Association. Chaplain for the NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Chaplain for Semper Fido, and Cherry Hill Food Pantry. In addition he served on West Jersey Presbytery and Presbytery For Southern New Jersey.