Council Member Profile: Aaron Dean

by Dave Register

Aaron Dean was born on the Feast of Trumpets 1952. At age 3 his father died, and his mother moved to Big Sandy, Texas, and later to Pasadena, California. He graduated in 1970 with honors from the Church's Imperial Schools and in 1974 from Ambassador College.

At graduation, Herbert Armstrong personally asked that he become part of his traveling group and not go to his ministerial assignment.

In 1974 he married Michelle Gemon. "Michelle has been my greatest asset. [She came] to college with only a nominal Lutheran background. She knew nothing of the Sabbath or Holy Days. She gives me a perspective that I don't have.

"After the legal battles with the State of California in 1979, and the subsequent 'putting the Church back on track' by Mr. Armstrong, it was requested that I officially become his assistant. I refused three times, knowing what the job was," Mr. Dean said. But Mr. Armstrong ignored his objections. "If God makes you do something, you will not fail. I think this is part of the 'fear of God.'"

Mr. Dean wore many "hats" until Mr. Armstrong's death in 1986. Earlier travel involved being away from home around 300 days a year. He was appointed to the Council of Elders and made a vice president, where he was able to tighten the overseas schedule by 60 percent and costs by 75 percent.

He takes little credit, as "it was God who helped a 92-year-old man in his last year visit nine countries in 24 days."

Along with setting up campaigns and meetings, Mr. Dean negotiated the student projects in foreign countries, which were very effective in demonstrating God's way of life.

He was kept busy seven days a week, usually 20 hours a day dealing with all aspects of the Church, college and Ambassador Foundation. Mr. Armstrong only allowed him one outside duty, a request by King Leopold III of Belgium that he serve on the board of Leopold's foundation.

"I was saddened at the death of my mentor in 1986. Michelle and I wanted a family, and God granted us a son, Aaron Jr., and daughter, Crystal Michelle. They truly filled a void for us," Mr. Dean said.

Mr. Dean completed an MBA with honors and began teaching at Ambassador University until its close in 1997.

Mr. Dean works in Texas for an agricultural company in domestic and international markets, which often allows him to visit scattered members.

He hopes to "help prepare the Bride of Christ," a promise he made to Mr. Armstrong. "I believe this is done on a personal basis. We can't afford complacency with the job Christ is about to give to us at His return.

"I hope to add to our world a perspective of the spiritual organism and to the personal growth of God's children to follow where Jesus Christ, the true Head of the Church, leads according to God's will and not our own, and to continue the enthusiasm of Herbert Armstrong.

"Council service is very demanding, and I must consistently pray my job allows me the blocks of time off to be helpful and effective. As long as God allows, I will serve God's people," Mr. Dean said. UN