About

Dean is a keen worship leader, blog writer, aspiring theologian and Vicar-to-be who has a passion for Jesus and looks forward to what God has in store for his life.

He grew up in Wrexham, North Wales with his mum, due to his parents divorcing when he was an early age. He has 12 siblings, four of which are with his dad and step mother, and seven are with his mum and step father, and he has one full sister.

His early childhood up to the first year of secondary school was hard and tough. The divorce of his parents took its toll on Dean’s personal life and increased cruelty and abuse in the home led to him running away to his dads home.

From these traumatic and difficult times, he became a Christian at the young age of 11 where he experienced God working powerfully. When telling his full testimony, he always says that he believes that God was the one who got him out of that disastrous situation, and that it was through the abuse and calamity of his childhood that God was able to reveal the love of Jesus to him. The gentle promptings and nudges of his grandparents also helped him in his early walk with Christ.

Following running away from home, Dean set up his new life in his dads house. He continued his schooling in Wrexham, having a passion for learning, drama and the arts, winning various music competitions and local Eisteddfods for his musical ability at performing on piano, as well as singing as part of a choir and as a conductor.

As he grew in his faith, Dean became increasingly aware of God’s hand upon his life and the spiritual gifts that had been given him. At the age of 14, he was baptised at Flint Evangelical Church on June 26th 2005. It was at that point that he gave his testimony about how he came to know Jesus and his love publicly. It was also the day where individuals prophesyed God’s calling upon his life. Shortly after the baptism, Dean left Flint Evangelical Church for Christ Church Deeside, where he continued on in the faith, eager to learn theology and doctrine.

By the age of 15, Dean had already preached his first sermon, taken his first baby dedication, led the high school Christian Union and was regularly taking school assemblies speaking about Christ and bringing the gospel into the lives of over 1000 young people every week. He was also regularly using his musical ability in the life of the church to lead worship and to bring creativity into church services.

He gained his GCSEs at Darland High School in 2007 and A Levels in 2009 specialising in English Literature & Language, History, Welsh and Religious Studies.

During the period between 2007 and 2009, Dean had started visiting attending an Anglican Church in Salisbury, where he began to be more defined in his faith. St Paul’s church was the church which provided the basis for Dean to start exploring full time ministry. It was evident that God was calling him to the Anglican Church. His growing passion for sharing the Gospel, for worship ministry and evangelism stirred Dean to a love of the church, theology and faith even more than before. He received continued encouragement from the Rector of St Paul’s, Andrew Cullis whilst he was in Salisbury.

In September 2009, Dean left for Cardiff University, doing a joint honours course in Welsh and Theology. He also started his course in Sacred Music and Worship Theology with the Royal School of Church Music. At this time, Dean ceased visiting St Paul’s Salisbury and began searching for a local church in Cardiff. He settled on Highfields Free Church where he instantly became involved in church music and worship leading.

It wasn’t long before Dean became increasingly involved in the Christian Union and then became the Worship Coordinator during the 2009-2010 term. Following this, Dean’s Pastor at the time, Peter Baker, began to meet with him more and more to discuss ministry and the future.

During the Christmas period of 2010, Dean approached a growing Anglican church in Newport, namely St Paul’s to inquire about ministry opportunities and worship leadership. It wasn’t long before a meeting had taken place and St Paul’s offered a placement at the church. Highfields released Dean from his volunteer ministry within the musical capacity and sent him to St Paul’s where he currently serves.

Presently, Dean is based at St  Paul’s City Centre Church in Newport and works there as the Pastoral Assistant to the Vicar. It is Dean’s vocation to become an ordained vicar in the Anglican Church after graduating university. The story is far from finished yet, as being only 21, Dean has a lot of life to look forward to.

He continues to be excited for all that God has in store, and looks forward to the day when he is able to lead a church and to aid the work of the Kingdom in reaching people for Jesus, welcoming them to meet him. It is the passion for encountering God, equipping His people and extending His kingdom that spurs him on in his journey to becoming a servant of Christ.

To be continued…