Originally from Minnesota, they had lived in Oaxaca, Mexico for seven years, planting churches and developing leadership in remote, indigenous villages before moving to Puebla, Mexico in 1994. There, an encounter with a boy living on the streets changed the course of their ministry as they felt God challenging their hearts and their faith. This led them to begin Esperanza Viva Youth Home in Puebla
, a ministry dedicated to rescuing and restoring abandoned children in 1994. Esperanza Viva expanded to open its second youth home in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, in 2006. In addition to Esperanza Viva Youth Homes, Jerry also founded and is director of Nations Church, which opened its doors in 2003. In 2003, the McNallys also founded La Viña School of Ministry to train young people who have a desire to serve the Lord. Most recently, in 2013, the McNally’s founded LHIMissions which focusing on “Helping youth around the world to experience the heart of missions in a hurting world.”