Pastor Dean was first introduced to Calvary Chapel while stationed at Fort Bragg N.C. in  1986. After returning home, he began attending Calvary Chapel North Phoenix which was led at that time by Pastor Bob Claycamp. Unknown to him, God used his time at Calvary North to prepare him for what God had planned for him latter on. 

During his time at Calvary Chapel North Phoenix and Calvary Chapel Peoria, he was used by God to  fill in for the different pastors of Calvary Chapel of Winslow/Holbrook. In 2000, God led Dean and his wife Jennifer to move to Holbrook, AZ to assist the pastor who at that time was Rob Robinson. In 2003, God led Pastor Rob to make Winslow and Holbrook separate ministries and turned over the Holbrook fellowship to Pastor Dean.