Christian Recording Artist Wayburn Dean to lead The Other Way Ministries

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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

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(GRAND RAPIDS, MI) – The board of directors of The Other Way Ministries – a Christian community development organization that provides spiritual, relational, and economic assistance to urban families on the West Side of Grand Rapids – has selected Wayburn Dean to replace longtime executive director Lou Roossien.

Dean is perhaps best known for his successful Contemporary Christian music career, which included a five-and-a-half-year stint as lead singer for the Grammy- and Dove-nominated Christian vocal group Acappella. His background in ministry and in business is also impressive. He owned and operated his own advertising and music production company, TAK ONE Productions. Additionally, he founded a nonprofit with his wife, Janae – Afterword Music Ministry, which produces and distributes CDs to missionaries around the world. Dean has led strategic planning, fundraising, and marketing efforts for a variety of organizations, including The Potter’s House, a Christian school in inner-city Grand Rapids where he served as Development Director, and C.O.R.E.- Alliance, a national abstinence program where he was CEO.

“I am honored to be selected Executive Director of The Other Way, a tremendous ministry that has made a difference in the lives of many on the West Side,” Dean said. “There is a great need for assistance from many struggling families in Westown, and my wife and I are blessed to be able to heed this call to continue the legacy of this vital ministry.”

Lou Roossien will facilitate the transition beginning November 14th and will stay on through December, when he plans to retire after eight years of service.

"Lou is and always will be a tremendous asset for this organization and the board of directors offers its sincere appreciation for his leadership and devotion these past eight years," said Mark Roberts, chair of Board of Directors for The Other Way Ministries. "As the organization continues to evolve, we are excited to have the energy and strategic-savvy of Wayburn Dean, whom we believe will open new doors for growth and collaboration in West Michigan."