Dean was twenty when he first trusted in Jesus Christ as his only way to heaven After becoming a Christian, he went on to seek how to serve God with a grateful heart.
He graduated from Florida Bible College (B.A.) and completed his postgraduate studies at Capital Bible Seminary where he majored in Old Testament Studies (Th.M.). After graduating from seminary, the Chollars moved to San Antonio where Dean ministered in a local church. They then moved to Arlington, Texas where Dean gained practical experience in the home building business.
Dean was commissioned as a missionary with Greater Europe Mission in 1984 by their home church, Park Springs Bible Church in Arlington, Texas. During his time in Belgium, he led two church-planting efforts, and helped to restructure another church. Dean, along with his family, also started a youth organization called Youth With A Future (Jeugd Met Toekomst). His work became international when he served as Europe Director with EvanTell.
His ministry has now extended beyond Europe with additional invitations to Asia and Latin America. With the start of Crossway International in March 1997, Dean now has opportunities to preach, to teach seminars on evangelism and to develop culturally relevant evangelistic materials in various parts of the world.