Set Free Ministries Team

Here to serve you and fulfill God’s vision for our ministry.

Full-Time Employees

Dean Vander Mey

Executive Director

Dean is a highly respected figure at Set Free, renowned worldwide for his expertise in guiding individuals through the process of finding freedom. With a remarkable ability to address root issues, Dean has earned the trust of leading experts who regularly refer clients to seek his guidance from all corners of the country. His impact is immeasurable, as he has provided wise counsel that has benefited generations of ministry recipients.

As the Executive Director of Set Free, Dean holds a crucial position within the organization. He personally meets with individuals in crisis, offering them comfort and direction based on the truth of Scripture. Dean’s teaching ministry goes beyond individual sessions as he passionately represents the organization, sharing the profound wisdom of God revealed through Freedom Ministry.

In his personal life, Dean finds joy in his marriage to his beloved wife, Sharie. Together, they are blessed with six daughters, four sons-in-law, and eighteen grandchildren. Before dedicating himself to ministry, Dean successfully ran a business called Action Packaging for 23 years. When he’s not fulfilling his calling, Dean takes pleasure in spending quality time with his family and pursuing outdoor activities. As an enthusiastic sportsman, he cherishes moments spent hunting, fishing, and retreating to “Deer Camp” in the UP of Michigan.

Dean’s unwavering commitment to guiding individuals toward freedom, his profound impact across generations, and his genuine love for family and the outdoors make him an exceptional leader within Set Free. He serves as a beacon of hope for all those seeking healing and transformation.

R Wayne Downing

Director of Operations

Wayne is the Director of Operations for Set Free, and he’s got a lot of experience under his belt. After 23 years in the US Air Force, he retired in 2003 and moved into business and education. He even chaired the School of Business at Grace Christian University before joining Set Free. As a Professor of Business, Wayne has taught at various universities for over 12 years, focusing on business, operations management, communication, and IT.

But Wayne’s not all about work. He’s actively involved in his community, serving in frontline freedom ministry and as a board member in West Michigan. He’s passionate about Men’s Ministry at his home church and leads a Veteran Discipleship Ministry. He’s also a big part of SFM programs like Warriors Set Free, The Road, Conquerors Series, and Reboot: Combat Recovery.

Family means a lot to Wayne. He’s happily married to Aimèe, and they have three children (two married and one at home) and a grandson. He’s a fan of the outdoors, especially shooting sports and big game hunting, and he even teaches self-defense and security team training.

As the Director of Operations at Set Free, Wayne’s background, dedication to service, and love for ministry make him a key player in Set Free’s mission. He’s all about helping people find freedom and healing through Jesus Christ, and his friends and colleagues value him for it.

Steve

Steve Prince

Director of Warriors Set Free

Steve, a dedicated member of Set Free Ministries (SFM), joined the organization in 2014 and has since been unwavering in his commitment to advancing the cause of Warriors Set Free (WSF). With exceptional fervor, Steve tirelessly strives to liberate those who have served our country honorably from the bondage of pain and trauma.

As the Director of Warriors Set Free, Steve brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by military personnel, veterans, first responders, and their families. Drawing from his own 25-year service in the US Army, Steve passionately works to provide targeted support and ministry to this deserving community.

In recognition of the urgent need to serve veterans and first responders, Warriors Set Free was established in 2014, under Steve’s visionary leadership. He has extended WSF’s reach by recently planting a new office and establishing a branch in Georgia, which currently employs two full-time and one part-time staff member.

Steve’s unwavering dedication to full-time ministry is evident in every aspect of his life. Beyond his role at SFM, he is a loving husband and proud father of two adult children. Outside of his ministry work, Steve finds joy in various outdoor activities, including hunting, kayaking, hiking, shooting, and embracing the beauty of nature.

Through his selfless service and burning passion, Steve exemplifies the heart of Warriors Set Free, empowering those who have sacrificed for our nation to find healing, freedom, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Dave McIntyre

Director of Set Free Global

Dave McIntyre serves as the Director of Global Ministries at Set Free.  He started his career as a Christian schoolteacher before surrendering to the call to missions in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.  From 1999 to 2012, he served there as a church planter.  He also founded the Per Ardua Wilderness ministry, which used wilderness survival training as a springboard for leadership and spiritual development.

In 2015 Dave was one of ten contestants on season two of the History Channels hit survival series Alone.  After 66 days of living off the land in the wilderness of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, his daughter surprised him in camp to tell him he won.

Dave is thrilled with his new position at Set Free, where he can put his years of experience in Christian education and missions to work in our ongoing ministries in Uganda, India, and the Dominican Republic.

Steve Vander Molen

Director of Set Free USA

Steve Vander Molen serves as the Director of Set Free USA at Set Free. Steve is married to his beloved wife, Tammi; they have three daughters, one son, and nine grandchildren.

After 37 years of working for a large corporation in West Michigan, Steve is excited to finish out his career in ministry. Steve had a front-row seat to the powerful work of the Holy Spirit doing freedom appointments as a volunteer at Set Free for two years before joining the team in April 2023. Steve loves to spend time with his family, enjoying the great outdoors hiking, biking, hunting, boating, and snowmobiling.  

Pete

Pete Noor

Walking Free Coordinator

Pete, a dedicated member of Set Free, joined the organization in 2014 and has since become a passionate advocate for its mission. Having experienced firsthand the transformative power of Set Free in his own life, Pete now utilizes his extensive network to raise awareness about how Jesus Christ, the ultimate Truth, brings hope and healing through the ministry.

With a deep commitment to helping individuals maintain the freedom they have found through Set Free, Pete serves in various capacities within the organization. His primary focus lies in the Walking Free initiative, which empowers individuals to sustain their newfound freedom. Through this initiative, Pete actively contributes to the mission by offering support and guidance to individuals through the Freedom in Christ Course, Bible Study Fellowship and by connecting them with churches and community organizations specialized in promoting freedom.

Pete’s unwavering dedication and personal experience make him an invaluable asset to Set Free, as he continues to play a vital role in helping others discover the transformative power of Jesus Christ and experience lasting freedom.

Nora

Nora Joyce

Ministry Coordinator

Nora serves as part of the Set Free USA Branch. She is the primary scheduler for Freedom Appointments. Nora is responsible for coordinating volunteer teams to meet with the ministry recipient. Her love for others and her desire to see that everyone has a seat at the table is just part of who she is at Set Free.

She is a retired teacher and says that “she is excited and grateful to be a part of the Set Free.”

Marty Johnson

Warriors Set Free - Ministry & Outreach Coordinator

Marty serves as the Ministry and Outreach Coordinator for Warriors Set Free.  He is married to his bride Kelly, they have been married 10 years.  They have 4 children, 3 daughters, 1 son and 2 granddaughters.    He loves being known as Paco to his kids and Papa to his granddaughters.  He enjoys hunting, fishing, pretty much anything outdoors.  He served in the Marine Corps from 1985-1993.

He absolutely has been humbled and looks forward to each time that he can be present when someone is Set Free!!

PART-Time Employees

Ben

Ben Benting

Accounting & Finance

Ben Benting has been a Set Free volunteer for about 15 years. He works in the accounting department at SFM, and enjoys participating in freedom appointments on a regular basis. “There is nothing quite like seeing a captive’s eyes opened to the power and truth of God’s word for the first time. The shackles that have been holding them for so long come off, and a whole new person is born.”

Ben has been married to his wife Erica for 23 years and is the father to 2 energetic boys, and 6 beautiful girls, ages 18 and under. He also serves as an elder at Body of Believers Community in Dutton.

Jeff

Dr. Jeff Stam

Founder of Set Free Ministries

and Director of International Ministries, Emeritus

In 1995, PJ founded Set Free Ministries (SFM), becoming its first director. SFM’s first office was in the old back office at Friendship Church. Since their return from the mission field, PJ had been serving as an Associate Pastor at Friendship, which was a volunteer position due to his involvement in other full-time ministry, he requested Friendship to give spiritual oversight to this new ministry. SFM is now an international ministry with offices in India and East Africa.

In 2011 PJ was asked by Set Free Ministries to return to the ministry as Director of International Ministries, coordinating growing ministries in East Africa and Mizoram, India. He retired at the end of 2016 but was called back in April of 2019…and is retired as of October 31, 2020.