During Peter Youngren's Friendship Festival in Ziway, Ethiopia, Peter gave Dean his first opportunity to preach in a stadium. Dean says, "Without Peter Youngren and World Impact Ministries, I never would have had the opportunity to preach to the multitudes, let alone know how to make it happen. I will forever be grateful to Pastor Peter and WIM - I owe any success in festival work to him. Without Pastor Peter, there is no Make Jesus Famous Ministries and I would not have the faith to step out and believe Jesus for the impossible."
