About Christian Life Church
in Bensalem, PA
A Church Built on God’s Word, God’s Presence, and God’s Love
We exist to help people know Jesus, grow in faith, and share the hope of the gospel with our community and the world.
Who We Are
Christian Life Church is a warm, welcoming, Spirit-filled, biblically grounded church in Bensalem, PA. We are passionate about helping people encounter God, build authentic relationships, grow in faith, and live with purpose.
We believe church should feel like family, worship should point people to God’s presence, and biblical truth should shape everyday life.
Whether you’ve lived in Bensalem your whole life or you’re searching for a fresh start, we want you to feel at home here.
Our Mission
We live to create a community that celebrates faith, demonstrates love, and shares the hope of Jesus.
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We gather every week, in person and online, to worship God as one family.
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We were made for relationships. CLC is where you meet people and grow in real faith.
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We love Jesus, and we show that love by serving others–here, in Bensalem, and around the world.
The story of Christian Life Center began in the hearts of Michael Cardone Sr. and his wife, Frances, when God gave them a vision for a strong, family-oriented church that would serve the northeastern suburbs of Philadelphia and reach beyond the local community to the world.
That vision began to take shape in 1990. In June, 24 people gathered and made a commitment through prayer and generosity to help establish the new church. With Pastors Greg & Bonnie Cox called to pioneer and lead the ministry, Christian Life Center began gathering for weekly services later that year at Justa Farm Shopping Center in Huntingdon Valley.
From the beginning, CLC was built with a heart for people and families—to help them know Jesus, grow in their faith, and carry His hope into their community and around the world.
Two Churches Become One
During those early years, another important part of CLC’s story was unfolding. Pastor Sam Lepore was serving as interim pastor of Bensalem Tabernacle, a congregation facing difficulty sustaining its mortgage.
Michael Cardone proposed bringing the two congregations together and offered to pay off Bensalem Tabernacle’s mortgage so the newly combined church could move forward without that financial burden. After both church boards agreed and the congregations voted, the two churches united—an important answer to prayer and one of the early miracles in CLC’s story.
A Season of Growth
Pastors David & Nancy Cawston began leading CLC in 1992 and served the church for nearly two decades.
During those years, CLC experienced significant growth. In 1993, the church dedicated newly purchased and remodeled facilities on Hulmeville Road. By then, CLC had grown to approximately 400 people, with about 500 attending the dedication service.
Within the next few years, CLC expanded to three Sunday morning services. By August 1995, the church had once again outgrown its facilities and moved its Sunday gatherings to the Bensalem High School auditorium.
As CLC continued to grow, the church began looking for a permanent home. Through Pastor Cawston’s relationship with Mayor Joe DiGirolamo, CLC identified property at Richlieu and Galloway Roads and purchased it in 1998.
Construction brought another significant moment of faith. When progress stopped because the Hulmeville Road property had not yet sold, the church prayed and fasted. The congregation renting the building ultimately decided to purchase it, providing the funds needed to complete construction.
In 2000, CLC moved into the Bensalem campus we call home today.
Faithful Through Every Season
As the church continued to grow and serve the next generation, CLC added The Edge student ministry center in 2005.
Pastors Del & Marvina Smith began leading CLC in 2008 and served for nearly a decade, continuing the church’s commitment to biblical teaching, ministry, and reaching people with the hope of Jesus.
Through every season and transition, generations of faithful people have prayed, served, given, and carried the ministry forward—both here in the community and around the world.
The Story Continues
In 2019, Pastors Mark & Christy English became CLC’s Lead Pastors—honoring the foundation laid by those who came before while leading the church forward into all that God has ahead.
More than three decades after 24 people first gathered around a vision, that story is still being written.
CLC remains a place where individuals and families encounter Jesus, experience His love, grow in faith, and carry His hope from our community to the world.
And there’s a place for you in the story.
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What We Believe – And Why It Matters
Our faith is grounded in Scripture and centered on Jesus. Here’s a simple look at some of the foundational beliefs that shape who we are, how we live, and what we teach at CLC.
God
There is one God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is the Creator of all things, and He made us to know Him and have a relationship with Him.
Genesis 1:1, 26–27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is present and active today. He lives in every believer, helps us become more like Jesus, empowers us to share our faith, and gives spiritual gifts to strengthen the Church and accomplish God’s work. We seek to live under His guidance every day.
John 14:16–17; John 16:7–13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; Galatians 5:22–25
Salvation
Salvation is God’s gift to us–we can’t earn it through good works or by trying to be good enough. When we turn from sin and put our faith in Jesus Christ, we receive forgiveness, new life, and a restored relationship with God.
John 1:12; John 14:6; Romans 5:1; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5
Baptism & Communion
Baptism and Communion are two meaningful ways we follow Jesus and remember what He has done for us. Water baptism is a public declaration of our new life in Christ, and Communion is a time to remember and celebrate Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
Eternity
Jesus is coming again. We believe in eternal life with God for those who belong to Jesus. Until He returns, we want to live faithfully, love people, and share this hope with the world.
John 14:1–3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Revelation 21:1–4
Jesus
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He lived a sinless life, gave His life on the cross for our sins, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and is coming again. Through Jesus, we can be forgiven, made new, and brought into relationship with God.
Matthew 1:18–23; John 1:1–5, 14; Hebrews 4:14–15; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Acts 1:9–11
The Bible
The Bible is God’s Word and the foundation for what we believe and how we live. Written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Scripture is inspired by God, trustworthy, and authoritative for our faith and everyday lives.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Psalm 119:105, 160
The Church
The Church is more than a building–it’s a spiritual family of people who follow Jesus. We worship together, grow in faith together, care for one another, serve others, and share the hope of Jesus with the world.
Acts 2:42–47; 1 Corinthians 12:12–27; Ephesians 2:19–22
Spirit-Filled Living
We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit and His ongoing work in our lives. The Holy Spirit empowers us to follow Jesus, serve others, share our faith, and use the spiritual gifts He gives to accomplish God’s work.
Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1–4; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; Ephesians 5:18
Christian Life Church is part of the Assemblies of God, a worldwide Pentecostal fellowship. Our beliefs align with the Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths, which provides a fuller explanation of the biblical doctrines we hold.
Read the full statement of fundamental truths
The People Behind CLC
Real people, real families, fully committed to walking with you. Here’s the team you’ll meet at CLC.
Pastors Mark & Christy
Lead Pastors
For more than three decades, Pastor Mark and Pastor Christy English have dedicated their lives to helping people know Jesus, grow in their faith, and discover God’s purpose for their lives. Together, they believe the local church should be a place where people experience God’s love, build meaningful relationships, and find a true spiritual home.
Since coming to Christian Life Church in 2019, Mark and Christy have been passionate about building a church where every generation can encounter Jesus, grow in community, and confidently take their next step of faith. Whether they’re preaching, mentoring, serving, or simply spending time with people after service, they love seeing lives transformed through the hope found in Jesus.
Married for more than 35 years, Mark and Christy treasure time with their growing family, including two adult daughters, a son, a son-in-law, and a granddaughter. They enjoy traveling together, serving on mission trips, spending time outdoors, and making memories with the people they love.
Marc Marcelo
Executive Pastor | CFO
Pastor Marc Marcelo serves as the Executive Pastor and Chief Financial Officer at CLC and is passionate about stewarding the church’s resources to help the ministry and surrounding community thrive. He loves helping people discover their God-given gifts, find meaningful opportunities to serve, and grow in their faith. Throughout his ministry, Marc has had the privilege of hosting and working alongside more than 100 missions teams, and he speaks three languages.
Outside of church, Marc enjoys spending time with his wife, Aimee, their three daughters, and son-in-law. He also loves traveling, discovering local food spots, and attending live sporting events. He’ll never turn down a good Chicago deep-dish pizza or a slice of pecan pie!
Polly Zupcic
Pastoral Care & Life Groups Pastor
Pastor Polly Zupcic oversees small groups, pastoral care, and discipleship at CLC and is passionate about helping people grow in their relationship with Jesus. With years of ministry experience and a master’s degree in Clinical Christian Counseling, she brings both wisdom and compassion to those she serves.
She is the proud mother of two adult children, Reece and Alexa, and grew up in a small-town community in the Midwest. She is known for her thoughtful guidance, genuine care for people, and steady commitment to helping others navigate life through a biblical lens.
Robyn Geisler
Children’s Ministry Pastor
Pastor Robyn Geisler has served as the Children’s Pastor at CLC for more than 10 years and is passionate about helping every child know they are deeply loved by God and cherished by the Life Kids team. She considers it one of God’s greatest blessings to serve in the same ministry where her own children first came to know the Lord and later discovered their own calling to serve Him. Inspired by 3 John 1:4, Robyn loves partnering with families to help children build a lifelong faith in Christ.
She and her husband, Larry, have been married for more than 30 years and enjoy spending time with their three grown children and two grandsons, who bring them endless joy.
Michael Williams
Student Ministry Pastor
Pastor Michael Williams serves as the Student Pastor at CLC and loves helping middle and high school students build a genuine relationship with Jesus and grow into the people God created them to be. He is passionate about investing in students and creating an environment where the next generation can encounter God, grow in their faith, discover their gifts, and boldly follow Christ. One of his favorite reminders comes from 2 Timothy 1:7 – that God has not given us a spirit of fear.
Outside of ministry, Michael enjoys spending time on the golf course, a great plate of pasta, and a bowl of ice cream. Most people are surprised to learn he almost made it onto America’s Got Talent! Pastor Michael and his wife, Elisabeth, have shared over a decade of marriage and are blessed with three beautiful children: Sloane, Gideon, and Rowen.
Angelica Santiago
Young Adults Pastor | Life Groups & Pastoral Care Admin
Angelica Santiago serves as the Young Adults Pastor at CLC and loves helping people deepen their faith and step confidently into God’s calling for their lives. Her heart is to walk alongside others through mentorship, discipleship, and building meaningful relationships.
An avid reader, Angelica enjoys books on leadership and spiritual growth, spending time on the Pennypack Trail, and discovering great local coffee shops. When she’s not serving at church, you can often find her with a good book in hand and a scoop of cookie dough ice cream nearby.
Alexandria Levin
Worship Pastor | Creative Arts Director
Pastor Alexandria Levin serves as the Worship Pastor and Creative Arts Director at CLC and is passionate about leading people into God’s presence. She loves investing in worship leaders and the creative team, helping others discover and grow in the gifts God has given them.
Alexandria and her husband, Mike, have two sons, and when she’s not planning services or writing songs, she enjoys making memories with her family, encouraging others, and, of course, finding a great cup of coffee.
Kristine Dempster
Outreach Pastor | Executive Assistant to the Lead Pastor’s Office
Kristine Dempster serves as Outreach Pastor and Executive Assistant to the Lead Pastor’s Office at CLC. She is passionate about helping people feel seen, loved, and welcomed as they take their next step toward God. She loves creating opportunities for people to connect through outreach, serving, and meaningful relationships, and considers it a privilege to be part of what God is doing in their lives.
Outside of church, Kristine enjoys spending time with her husband, John, and her two stepdaughters. She also loves running and has completed multiple half marathons as well as a full marathon. An avid animal lover, Kristine has fostered kittens, owned a dog grooming business, and is committed to a vegan lifestyle.
We're Also a Preschool
Christian Life Academy is part of who we are – a place where children learn, grow, and are cared for in a faith-filled environment.
Top Rated Preschool in Pennsylvania
Christian Life Academy is an important part of who we are and reflects CLC’s heart for investing in the next generation. We believe children should have a place where they are known, cared for, encouraged to grow, and surrounded by a strong foundation of faith from an early age.
That commitment has been part of CLC for many years. Under the leadership of Dominic Biscardi, Christian Life Academy’s preschool grew into a highly regarded program, known for providing children with excellent care and education in a nurturing, faith-filled environment.
Today, that same heart continues—to partner with families as children learn, grow, discover who God created them to be, and build a foundation that will serve them for years to come.
And you don’t have to attend CLC on Sundays to be part of Christian Life Academy. If you’re looking for a caring, Christ-centered environment for your child, we’d love for you to learn more.
The best way to know us is to be with us
You can read about CLC all day – but the real thing happens on Sunday morning. Come see for yourself.