Where it started…
In 2006, Nolan and Marie Schockey founded Servant Senders to train Mexican nationals to serve as pastors, preachers, and teachers of the Word of God. They began a 3-year training program focused on the general and theological education necessary for ministry, as well as providing the practical training needed to prepare men for ministry.
Graduates from the program have gone on to serve in various ministry roles in Juárez and other cities in Mexico and the United States.
The Schockeys have devoted over 25 years to reaching the city of Juarez, equipping pastors and teachers, and supporting the Church.
Fast forward…
In August of 2024, Spence and Jayleen McConnell came to Juarez to meet the Schockeys. Spence was serving as the Lead Pastor of a Church in Oklahoma and was looking for potential mission partners for the Church to engage with for short-term missions. The plan was to come and see the work Servant Senders was doing and report back to the Church.
During their time in Juarez, both Spence and Jayleen sensed a call to the mission field of Juarez. The McConnells have never served on the mission field full-time, nor knew what requirements or qualifications might be needed in order to serve in Juarez.
After much prayer, many conversations with the Schockeys, and receiving counsel from mentors and spiritual leaders – Spence has led his family to relocate to the Juarez area for he and his family to serve in Juarez as full-time missionaries.
Luke, Wyatt, Spence, Micah, Jayleen, Eli, Ezra, and TC
Meet the McConnells
Spence and Jayleen McConnell have been married for over 20 years. God has blessed their marriage with six boys. Spence and Jayleen are lifelong residents of Oklahoma and have never lived in a community with more than 30K people.
Spence has served in ministry since 2010. For over a decade, Spence has served as the Lead Pastor of 3 different local Churches. Before entering ministry, Spence worked as a roughneck in the oilfield, a lineman for an electrical utility contractor, and built electrical transmission lines and substations.
Spence has earned a degree in Religion from Liberty University and an MDiv from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and is currently pursuing a post-graduate degree at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Jayleen manages the home and homeschools all of the school-age children. She has dedicated her life to serving her family, supporting the ministry, and being Spence’s best friend.
Most recently, the McConnells served at First Baptist Church in Wellston for over 4 years. FBC Wellston is the sending Church for the McConnells as they serve on the mission field.
The creation of Doulos…
The McConnells started Doulos Ministries as a partnering organization with the Schockeys and Servant Senders. The goal is to further the work of Servant Senders and the Schockey’s legacy by supporting the pastoral training program, serving in the ministries in Juarez, and exploring ways to reach more people.
For more information about the ministries of Doulos, please visit the Ministries page. For more information about the values and beliefs of Doulos, please visit the Values & Beliefs page.
