As Lead Pastor for Hope Community Church, Dean seeks to abide in Jesus and encourage others to do the same. Dean learned about and was amazed by Jesus was when he was 12 years old. Soon after, he was compelled to become a lifelong learner and follower of Jesus. After high school, Dean moved to Chicago where he earned a BA in Biblical Theology from Moody Bible Institute. After seeing God’s heart for people of all nations during a mission trip to the Congo, he moved to Denver and has since completed his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees at Denver Seminary.

Dean and his wife Rebecca have four adult children and one grandson – Maggie & Chase Kinter, James Wertz and Chris & Kylian Ogunsakin. The Wertz’s live in Platt Park and have been with Hope since it was formed in 1999. Dean enjoys fishing, hiking, camping, organizational leadership and rough carpentry—especially when he can do these things with his family!