Journey to Christ
Although no person is without mistakes, the examples set before Shanelle were clear: she needed Christ. She was taught to attend church and get involved. Like everyone else, Shanelle had to make a decision about her personal spiritual path.
​
Her path has not been without its bumps and bruises. But, she has always known her joy, peace, clarification, and purpose lies in her connection to God.
​
She accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at the age of 8 years old. Sitting in church one day she heard God clearly say (as the Pastor was giving the invitation) to walk to the front of the church building and make the public declaration of discipleship. Shanelle was scared out of her mind, but her mother gently encouraged her to go forward. So...scared and all she went.
Shanelle's father has pastored a church in Oklahoma City for the last 26 years, but at this time he was a minister at a church called Emmanuel Tabernacle. The pastor allowed him to baptise Shanelle the next week.
​
Shanelle remembers feeling nervous and excited. To help with nerves, her dad spent the next week speaking to her about what it means to give your life to God, and what it will feel and look like to be baptized.
​
Even though Shanelle made the decision at 8 years old to accept the Lord as her personal Savior, she had to keep making the decision to remain connected to God. Like you and I, as she grew older she had to recalibrate and purposefully understand what their relationship looked like as an adult.
​
Shanelle went off to college and compartmentalized God. She pulled Him out as needed and neatly tucked Him back in when she wanted to do what she wanted to do. Don't get it wrong- she did what came natural, she attended church every single Sunday, she prayed ON people- but the loudest voice in her ear was not God.
​
After she left the bubble of college, she began to rapidly realize a very important decision needed to be made. Would she live her life tangentially connected to God relying on past experiences and teachings? Or would she begin to see God in everything, and take Him out of her self created box?
​​
She made her choice and she chooses Jesus. Every day and in everything. She has always loved learning and God's word is no different. She has worked in the areas of the Women's Ministry, Media Department, and the Beautification committee. Currently, Shanelle is the bible study teacher and SHE LOVES IT.
​
Perhaps you identify with Shanelle's journey to Christ, or maybe your foundation was shaped differently. Whatever your path may be, the good news is there is ALWAYS a path to Him. It begins with a decision and concrete steps to develop and advance your relationship with Him.
​
Career Journey
Have you ever worked a job you hated? Shanelle did. During the summer of Shanelle's senior year she worked two jobs as a manager at a cafe and at a movie theater in an area called "Studio Eats." She quickly realized the food industry/hospitality was not "it" for her.
​
Although the food industry was not her career choice, she learned so much from these jobs. Learning how to resolve conflict, the importance of quality service, and that people are serious about their food!
​
After graduating from Oklahoma State University with a major in political science Shanelle took a leap of faith and moved to a state where she had no connections. Shanelle arrived in Kansas to attend law school at Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas.
​
In law school she found a love for working with children and parents in the area of family law. She worked in the legal clinic during her last summer of law school and was able to handle truancy and family law cases- she felt amazing in the courtroom helping people through tough moments.
​
After graduation and passing the bar exam she worked for Kansas Health Policy Authority as a Legislative Analyst and Contracts Manager for 3 years. She transitioned into part-time work as a Diversity Coordinator for her law school while opening her own law practice. Shanelle was pregnant with her third child and Mark and Shanelle were raising two babies during this time.
​
She doesn't remember this time period much. She just knows if they didn't have their village of grandparents and family support their lives would have looked very different.
​
Eventually, Shanelle convinced her husband to leave his job as an Assistant Public Defender and for them to join forces. It was one of the best work experiences she's ever had working with Mark in their newly created law firm, Dupree and Dupree, Attorneys at Law. Mark handled all things criminal law and Shanelle handled all things family law. During this time Shanelle created an orientation class, CINC 101: Parents, for parents who had children removed from their care. Judges soon began ordering parents to take the class-because it helped parents understand the process and get their children back quicker, IF that was their goal. Shanelle provided hope, help, and humor to struggling parents during these classes.
​
Fast forward four years later Mark is elected as the Wyandotte County District Attorney, and they now have four babies. Shanelle was at a career crossroads. She felt an urgency to leave the very hectic practice of working directly with families and appearing in court everyday.
​​
Shanelle made the choice to leave the courtroom. She spent a year creating a vlog about the child welfare system. In the process she learned about organizations doing amazing things to help families in Kansas. She met wonderful people, and was able to learn the basics of video creation and design.
​​
Shanelle worked as the director of a Kansas child placing agency, and is currently the regional director for a social service agency in Kansas. ​
​
Shanelle's career has involved disappointments and joyous moments. She has been told yes and no. She has experienced words of affirmation and been ignored-yet as she looks back, her steps have been ordered by God. Shanelle is working in her purpose and believes what she does everyday makes an impact in people's lives.