Staff
Dr. Alaine Pakkala
I founded this unique, pioneering ministry in 1994. As president of Lydia Discipleship Ministries (LDM), I really enjoy training leaders—professional counselors, lay-counselors, disciplers, pastors and others—helping them understand how to effectively minister to hurting people, especially those who are emotionally shattered. Through resources I have written, conferences our ministry has presented and discipleship training on DVDs and online, I am able to especially equip those who help the most deeply wounded—those with dissociative issues (DID). Having experienced my own healing from a DID/SRA background, I understand the struggles facing those who have been abused by people in positions of trust. I am living proof that we serve a God who rebuilds people’s lives, a God who “makes up for the years that the locusts have eaten.”
Dawn Remtema
As a volunteer staff member of LDM, I enjoy assisting those who call the office asking questions regarding discipling the wounded, setting up appropriate discipleship classes for the wounded, or praying with those struggling in their walk with the Lord. I have the opportunity to proofread and use many of the discipleship or training materials Alaine or other staff members have written. In turn, I am able to describe the uniqueness and effectiveness of appropriate discipleship since I too have been involved in teaching in such Bible studies. With many years of experience as an overseas missionary before coming to LDM, I have seen God transform lives as I have used LDM materials in training seminary students and new village converts in Sri Lanka and India.
Carolyn Reynolds
I am the Resource Manager and Office Administrator. When Dr. Pakkala began LDM 20 years ago, I was her publicist and helped fill orders. I stepped back to take care of a couple more babies, who have grown up, and serve in Children’s ministries at our local church and then at two elementary schools. It has been a blessing to return to LDM and help in any way I can. Presently, I am on Dawn Remtema’s leadership team working with women who have survived sexual abuse. We are using the R&R (Renewing and Rebuilding) materials and seeing lives change. The Lord is good!
Bill Reynolds
I am the computer technician and programmer for LDM. Like my wife, I too worked with LDM when it first started. I work full-time as a computer automation engineer but love to help LDM on the weekends and scout out new technology. It has been a blessing to serve.
Joann Roof
Developing LDM’s first website is how I began with the ministry. With my doctorate in counseling, now I mentor ladies in one-on-one settings and work especially with those from a Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) background. I also train lay-counselors to work with DID.
Our Faithful Prayer Team
There are many individuals who feel called to be part of our national prayer team. They are a vital part of what we do; and we are so glad that they are a part of the Lydia Discipleship Ministry Team.
Board of Directors
Mark Anderson
Mark has been a friend of Alaine Pakkala’s and of LDM since 2002, when they met following one of Alaine’s presentations at an early International Center for Biblical Counseling (now Deeper Walk International) course in Indiana. Mark has served on the board of DWI, served as an elder in a local church, has 20 years of practice as a self-employed engineer, and has 40+ years of practice as a follower of Jesus. His heart is to be part of a relational, interactive, heart-focused discipleship in the local church. The mission and vision of LDM intersects with Mark’s desire to be a part of equipping the local church to be a safe place to minister to and disciple hurting people, and to contribute to awakening the church to the need for discipleship and also address the sources of abuse that develop within our communities and churches. Mark lives in Alaska with his wife Lynne, and their 2 daughters.
Dr. Alaine Pakkala
Alaine is founder and president of Lydia Discipleship Ministries. She has a B.S. and a Master’s in Music Education and a Ph.D. in counseling. For 20 years, she was on the music faculties of several Christian colleges including Cedarville University, Cedarville, Ohio and William Tyndale College, Farmington, Michigan. She is presently on the faculty of Deeper Walk International’s Institute (formerly the Institute for Biblical Counselors.) While Alaine was still teaching at the collegiate level, she founded Lydia Press, a small Christian publishing company, and Lydia Discipleship Ministries. At LDM Alaine focuses on intentional Christian leadership development through her writing, speaking at leadership training venues, and mentoring others through discipleship classes.
Karen Nottenkamper
Until her husband’s death in 1974, Karen ministered beside him as pastor’s wife of a small church in Michigan. Her business experience includes: Vice President of Operations for Polk City Directories, Livonia, MI, and Sr. Account Manager for White Cap, Inc., Downers Grove, IL;. Currently, she is involved at her local church as a women’s Bible Study leader.
