Verne is a "missionary kid" born and raised in Peru. Alina, born in Cuba, emigrated with her family to the USA at the age of three and grew up in Birmingham, AL. Verne and Alina are graduates of Columbia International University, and Verne of Covenant Theological Seminary. They married in 1980 and joined MTW to work in Santiago, Chile in 1985. There Verne and Alina were active in evangelism, discipleship, teaching, preaching, and training pastors, all in the work of planting churches.

Combining vital elements of their past ministry, the Marshalls now look forward to ministering through the "Centere Mathetes," a retreat and resource center for training church planters and revitalizing churches. The center also serves to encourage pastors, sponsor evangelistic weekends, and train Christians to impact their culture.