Vernelle has been involved in the ministry of CEF since 1969. She got her start in New Hampshire but has been in the state of Maine since 1977.

"I grew up in a church that had missions as a high priority so from a child I sensed God calling me into full time ministry. My cousin, a missionary from my home church, was the state director for CEF of Washington State. She invited me to be a summer missionary during my Bible college years so that was my introduction to CEF."