Dean Stream

I met a cool woman from Mumbai at our last India training who introduced herself as a grateful member of ‘Dean’s group’. Soon after, a lay leader mentioned offhandedly how helpful Dean had been as his mentor for the ‘virtual’ group. Yesterday, Dean announced that his next online CrossCurrent had 70 applicants and counting. 

OK. Enough already about the Dean Stream. With him around, how will I fill my bottomless need for recognition on a global level?

I suffer long. Dean decided to pioneer a global CrossCurrent group online a couple of years ago, and it’s been phenomenal.

At first, I was skeptical. My experience of Zoom healing was offsetting. Dean differs: ‘I am always amazed at how powerfully the Holy Spirit moves online. I believe God hears our cry for help and makes a way for us. Although meeting online can be a tiresome platform, the Holy Spirit breaks down strongholds and imparts life to those who seek Him there. My own listening skills wake up online, and I find fresh, specific words of life to impart to His children. His Kingdom comes and His will is done online as it is in heaven.’

Shut my mouth. Dean explained what a typical group looks like: ‘Like every DSM group, we start with worship. Because singing together online is a technical nightmare, we simply read through a Psalm together, realigning our posture in worship to our Creator. With our eyes on God, we have a 20-minute teaching, a 5-minute testimony, and a brief ministry time before breaking up into same-sex small groups, which run about 45 minutes. I try to place people in the same groups each session to give as much continuity as possible.’

Dean Greer, a giant in the Kingdom of God.

Miracles abound. Dean recounts: ‘One woman, for the first time, felt free to tell of her sexual abuse. She found enough healing online to pursue further help within her community.

Another woman, a Christian in a Muslim country, feared admitting her SSA. She found hope and healing in solidarity with others, deepened that healing face-to-face in international trainings, and hopes against hope to start something where she lives. 

Countless men have told me that finding a first-time opportunity to talk with others who share their struggles has empowered them to keep pursuing God through Living Waters and other in-person options.’

Dean claims that a humble ‘yes’ is his qualification for running this global enterprise, but I wouldn’t discount his decades of seasoned, consistent, lowkey, and wise care of sexually broken persons. And patience with technical complexities! ‘God has gifted me with a temperament conducive to the unpredictable dynamics of the world-wide web,’ says the understated Greer.   

And worldwide it is. For the last 30 months, Dean’s group has served Australia, Austria, Belize, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, France, Germany, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Lithuania, Malaysia, Morocco, Myanmar, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and, of course, the USA.

In addition to mobilizing a national team of leaders who have typically served in-person groups for years, Dean works diligently to ensure a trustworthy experience for all involved.  He navigates the risks of opening up online with care.

‘Unlike an in-person CrossCurrent, we require everyone to pre-register for the group, so we have your basic identity and contact information. Before participating, you receive group guidelines for CrossCurrent, which include the confidentiality policy. We lay out simple boundaries for all: the microphone is muted unless speaking, an isolated and stationary posture is maintained, no crosstalk is allowed during group discussions, no advice is given, and no recording or screenshots are permitted, etc. If someone is suspected of “spying” or displaying inappropriate behavior, they can be immediately removed from the group.

Though we’ve yet to experience violation or fraud, I encourage people not to let fear keep them from participating. Any group experience requires a level of trust. With CC online, we facilitate the safest environment possible for an online group.’

I’m ready for the virtual waters, Dean. How do I get wet?

‘If you have computer/smartphone access to Zoom with decent Wi-Fi and can be available during the time we meet, you can join us. We offer an 8-week online group once every quarter. There are no registration fees required for the group, but we do accept donations.

Our next round begins on August 5th and will be run in the mornings, making it more accessible for international students. Anyone can access the DSM event calendar to find the registration link. You must pre-register to participate. You don’t need to commit to the full eight weeks and may join at any time.’

Dive into the Dean Stream today!

To support Dean and CrossCurrent Online, you can donate here.