Aaron met Shannon while in college at West Virginia University. They were married in 2001 and moved to Raleigh, NC. There, Shannon taught preschool and Aaron began his career in sales. After a short time, they relocated to Beckley, WV where they both pursued careers in pharmaceuticals and medical device sales. By early 2004, the Lord had blessed them with their first child, a great church family,
and began shaping them for his purposes. Shannon had assumed the full time role of stay at home mom and Aaron was continuing his role in medical device sales. In 2005, after the birth of their second child, God provided Aaron with a sales opportunity in Morgantown, WV, at which time they relocated again. After several years at home, Shannon felt called to return to work. Their personal need and search for preschool for their children brought them to a new desire in their hearts. They found that Morgantown had a need for a quality, Christian, early learning facility. In 2007, God revealed his plan for the DePue’s to open a Christian daycare in Morgantown. God showed His favor and provision through Aaron’s career in sales, as well as through a new fantastic business partnership. The day after their third child was born, they began their journey at Place of Grace Early Learning Center. The facility ministers to over 100 families and 25 employees at any given time. Shannon has worked there full time for the last 7 years managing daily operations. In early 2013, they felt called to sell their home and rebuild. This started a time of true transition and growth in their family. Their home sold in less than a month. What followed was a long list…loss due to death, family illness, moving, Lyme disease in Shannon, moving again, and job loss. In the fall of 2013, Aaron’s job was eliminated due to changes in Medicare reimbursement. Before the layoffs, Aaron and Shannon had started building a new house. Throughout the next year, Aaron worked on the house and searched for a new medical device position. It soon became apparent that God had other plans for Aaron’s career. In September of 2014, it was clear that he was being led to accept a full time ministry position as the Director of Development at Covenant Christian School. Everyday, Aaron ministered to 150 children ages 3-8th grade and their families. After two 5 week mission trips to Budapest, Hungary, the Lord called The DePue Family to full time missions. In 2019, they sold their home, business, and everything they knew to move to Budapest to serve with One Mission Society as the Europe and Middle East Social Entrepreneurship Directors. They are working on an innovative project called Business as Missions. The business projects that they work on will not only minister directly to the children and families of Hungary, but will also assist in funding other ongoing ministry such as anti-human trafficking, Christian education and discipleship, and church planting. Their goal is to use all of the above ministries to provide the people of Hungary the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Aaron and Shannon desire to be obedient to God’s will and plan for their family. It has not only been on the mountaintops that they have seen God’s face, but in the valleys in the last few years that they have come to know His name to be more than Savior, but as Provider, Healer, and Father. They are humbled and honored to serve in full time ministry in Budapest.
