Dr. Renita Reed-Thomson is the founder and president of Discipling Marketplace Leaders. She describes herself as a “Dutch-Canadian-American-Liberian-Ghanaian-Kenyan citizen”! But ultimately, Renita is a citizen of Heaven as a child of God. Dr. Reed-Thomson has lived and worked in Africa since 2005 and loves the important role that business plays in the flourishing of the earth and longs for every church to teach work as worship.
Dr. Reed-Thomson has her BA in Psychology, a MBA in Sustainability, and PhD in Sustainable Development. She is the proud mother of Hannah Reed and Noah Reed, and wife to Michael Thomson. Dr. Reed-Thomson currently lives in Grand Rapids MI when she is not traveling and working across Africa. To learn more about Renita, please read her blog.
Paul Soper serves DML as our volunteer Chief Financial Officer. Paul is a retired CPA and has served various ministries in Latin America as well as Africa. Paul is married to Sue, with three grown children, and live in Grand Rapids, MI.
Sue Soper serves DML as our volunteer accountant. Sue is a retired CPA and has also served several ministries in Latin America. Sue is married to Paul, with three grown children, and they live in Grand Rapids MI.
Chaplain Freeman Okoro Junior serves the DML team as the International Chaplain as well as the social media manager. As a former missionary with CAPRO, he is passionate about people knowing the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and seeks to see the church grow in holistic discipleship. Freeman lives in Jos, Nigeria, with his wife and has two children.
Dr. Abraham Gaga serves the DML team by helping implementing partners understand Salesforce, our metrics tracking system. Dr. Gaga also leads the DML book club and is a trainer in conservation agriculture. Dr. Gaga is trained as a veterinarian and has his doctorate in divinity. He is a Nigerian living in Kaduna, married with two children.
Godefroid Nzambimana is seconded to the DML Global team from UCCD in Burundi and serves the African Support Specialist. Godefroid has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and several certificates from Bible schools. He is passionate about using his organizational skills to equip the church to do work as worship.
Canaan Terefe Asfaw lives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and has completed several professional certificates related to business and professional development. She also has experience working across different media platforms. She currently serves Discipling Marketplace Leaders Global, supporting communication, coordination, and the design of ministry resources.
DML Team Members in Africa
- Burkina Faso, AEAD — Dr. Philippe Ouedraogo
- Burkina Faso, Assemblies of God — Dr. Noufou Ganame
- Burkina Faso, Christian Missionary Alliance — Pastor Theophile Pare
- Burundi, UCCD — Isaiah Nshimirimana
- Cameroon, HUTSEED — Joy Alima
- Central African Republic — Joy Alima
- Chad – Pastor Theophile Pare
- Congo Brazzaville — Joy Alima
- Cote d’Ivoire, AEAD — Ismael Illa
- Democratic Republic of Congo — Pastor Theophile Pare
- Ethiopia, Kale Heywet Church — Yoseph Bekele
- Ghana, Hopeline Institute — Fanny Atta-Peters
- Ghana, SIM — Yvonne Mildred,
- Ghana, Assemblies of God — Pastor Derek Amoo-Sakyi
- Guinea — Pastor Theophile Pare
- Kenya, African Theological Seminary — Carolyn Sudi
- Malawi, Emmanuel University — Dr. Abraham Gaga
- Nicaragua, Satisfied Wages — Jesse and Jadi Rodriguez
- Nigeria, Development Associates International — Dr. Abraham Gaga
- Pakistan, Lord’s Home – Rev. Raja Samuel
- Sierra Leone, Wesleyan Church – Bishop John Bominhoma
- Tanzania, Go Life — Pastor Anthony Kayombo
- Togo, Life Ministries – Edouard Ametou
- Uganda, ICM — Grace Awori Omalla
- Zambia, GoMake – Pastor Billiance Chondwe
Board of Directors
Dr. Phillip Walker was the co-founder and president of International Christian Ministries, having served in the Middle East and Africa for over forty years. Dr. Walker serves as the Chair of the Board, and has been seconded by ICM to DML to serve as a trainer and leader for the DML ministry. Dr. Walker is married to Debbie, has three sons, twelve grand-children, and lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Dr. Colin Watson is the Executive Director Emeritus of the Christian Reformed Church of North America. He is an ordained commissioned pastor with the Christian Reformed Church. He is also a retired executive from two Fortune 500 companies. Dr. Watson and his wife, Freida, have been married since 1979, have three adult children, and live in New Jersey. Dr. Watson serves as the Vice-Chair of the Board.
Letta Jean Taylor is the former Mayor of the town of Montreat, as well as former Chair of the Board for International Christian Ministries, with a long history of passion for Africa. Letta Jean serves as the Treasurer for the Board.
Lou Haveman has served as a missionary in Africa for many years and is an entrepreneur at heart. Lou is the founder and CEO of Business Connect.
Dave Graf is a contractor in Grand Rapids with a heart for prayer and a passion for the church.
Lacey Faieta is an intense follower of God and lover of all things Burundi! Lacey is a former business owner and now serves as a connecter and volunteer to a number of NGOS, including DML. She loves the message of DML and seeks to see the church do holistic discipleship in all parts of the world.
Rev. Dr. Emeline Nde is a strategic leader, global educator, and advocate for integrating faith, business, and mission. A member of Discipling Marketplace Leaders since 2018, she helped pioneer DML’s work in Cameroon and later served as Deputy International Coordinator, mentoring partners across Africa and South America. She currently serves on the DML Board and as Consultant for Sustainable Business Development and Fundraising. Dr. Nde holds a Doctor of Strategic Leadership from Regent University and serves as Program Director of Harvest Marketplace Academy and Associate Pastor at Omega Gospel Mission. An author and global speaker, she equips leaders to connect Sunday worship with Monday’s mission.
Vera Teri is a financial services professional with 22+ years of experience and holds an MBA in Accounting. Originally from Tanzania, she is a proud mother of two, an avid traveler, and a strong advocate for empowering women and young adults. She believes in lifelong learning, meaningful relationships, and creating opportunities for others to thrive. Fun fact: She climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro.