Our Team - Seeds Wilderness Way

Meet Our Team

Dean Reynolds

Executive Director

With over 20 years of experience working with youth at risk in wilderness settings, Dean is a firm believer in the power of restoration in an individual’s life through wilderness counseling. When a person is away from the distractions of everyday life, he/she can move inward and begin the work of healing. This renewal process is possible when the individual allows the purpose and hope of God to replace negative coping patterns. With this mindset, he started Seeds Wilderness Way, where individuals meet with God to renew and restore their lives and become productive members of their family.

Dean has an associate’s degree in Outdoor Recreation and Leadership from Northern Michigan University and a Bachelor’s degree from Toccoa Falls College with an emphasis in ministry and counseling. He was ordained with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in 2024. Dean’s wilderness experience includes work as a NOLS instructor, Outward Bound instructor, and over 1,000 field guide days with youth-at-risk in the backcountry. He’s also served with search and rescue and as a wildland and structure firefighter.

Heather Marvel

Office Manager

Heather has served in various church offices and ministry roles over the years. She enjoys being a “behind-the-scenes” support for the work of God and His people, and that’s what drew her to join Seeds. Heather is a faithful anchor in the ups and downs of front-line ministry. Her dedicated service in the office makes all the transformational moments on the mountain possible.

Heather was born and raised in a Christian home in South Alabama, but moved to Montrose, CO 30 years ago. She and her husband Troy, have two children in their early 20s. They have been part of Cedar Creek Church for almost two decades, and Heather serves there as a deaconess and a volunteer in the office and the media team. Heather and her husband enjoy spending time together exploring beautiful Colorado, and they love a good Christian rock show. They’ve even been known to hop on a flight out of state to see one of their favorite bands!

Katelyn Bartley

Senior Field Instructor & Aftercare Program Coordinator

Katelyn brings a wealth of experience in the mental health field and a deep passion for working with children and teens. Her love for God’s creation makes her a perfect fit for Seeds Wilderness Way.

Katelyn has completed her Master’s in Macro Social Work and gained valuable experience in community engagement, family-based mental health therapy, and trauma-informed care. She continues to disciple teens in her community through sports, Bible studies, and therapy provision, while also appreciating the beauty of nature as a testament to God’s greatness and love.

Megan Reynolds

Mission Advancement, Communications, and Staff Formation

Megan has a rich background in Bible, world missions, spiritual formation, outdoor discipleship, and life coaching. She has served as a writer at Novo Mission for more than a decade, capturing key missionary learnings about disciple-making, activating prayer, and listening to Jesus, and carries over these skills in communications and mission to Seeds. Megan has a Bachelor’s degree in Music and Bible (minor in Intercultural Studies), and certificates in Life Coaching and Spiritual Formation (from The Renovaré Institute). She studied Outdoor Leadership and Discipleship at Holsby Bible School under Joel Vermillion, leader of WMI (Wilderness Ministry Institute).

Megan is passionate about emotional, spiritual, and relational health for those in ministry, and constantly advocates for the Seeds team to establish healthy work-life rhythms and keep close connections with Jesus and one another. Megan has done mission work on every continent except Antarctica, and loves coffee and mountains—especially the Alps and the Himalayas (but thinks the San Juans and the Rockies are pretty spectacular as well). She is the wife of Dean and a full-time mama to Nathaniel and Kezzie.

Peyton Skur

Field Instructor

Peyton and his wife, Becca, are outdoor enthusiasts and have a passion to see people transformed through the Holy Spirit. They have experienced how the wilderness provides space for spiritual disciplines to flourish and for people to be shaped by God. Wilderness ministry has married its love for adventure with the call to make disciples. Currently, Peyton serves at-risk youth through after-school programs in Western Colorado while Becca works as a nurse. They volunteer in the youth ministry at their church and serve at Seeds with great expectation for how the Kingdom will come in their midst! Peyton and Becca love rock climbing, trail running, and biking.

meet Our

Board of Directors

Andrea Thiele

Andrea Thiele (Chair) lives in Surprise, AZ. One of her adopted children was the very first student to come to Seeds. Drea and her husband Bryan have been extensively involved as church planters, worship leaders, and with Novo mission. They have 11 children, most of whom are adopted (both international adoptions and out of the foster care system). Drea has supported many adoptive and foster families with strategic teaching and parenting help, including training on spiritual authority and the importance of prayer on behalf of your children.

Kevin Thompson

Kevin Thompson (Secretary) and his wife Cindy live in Montrose, CO. Kevin retired from the Colorado Division of Parks & Wildlife in October 2020. Around this time, he was asked by Dean Reynolds what he thought he might do in retirement. Replying that he was uncertain, but didn't want to just sit around, Dean asked if he might be interested in working for Seeds. Consequently, Kevin served Seeds as part of the logistics team in 2021 and 2022, packing food and gear and transporting students. He joined the Board of Directors in 2023. He and Cindy have had a ministry of hospitality and care to Seeds staff, even welcoming staff, interns, and prospective staff to stay in their home. Kevin is a man of the Word and a man of deep prayer. He continually points the board back toward prayer and the Lord’s leading. He’s steady, meticulous, and orderly in everything he does. He keeps the rest of the board on schedule and ensures all board prayer and business meetings get on the calendar. He serves as an elder at Cedar Creek Evangelical Free Church in Montrose, CO, and preaches from time to time.

Todd Laws

Todd Laws and his wife, Cheryl, currently live in Delta, CO, but are in the process of making a ministry move toward family on the north coast of Oregon. Todd is a Small Town Ministry Supervisor and Developer for Young Life—previously in western Colorado, but now in Western Oregon. He has served with Young Life for more than 40 years. Todd’s heart is especially drawn to pre-Christian, disinterested, hurting teens. He brings a constant spirit of faith and encouragement to the ministry of Seeds, and shares his wealth of wisdom about youth ministry and what it takes to keep ministry on track with the board. Todd and Cheryl have four children, a daughter-in-law, and a son-in-law, all rolling through their early 30s, along with two young grandchildren—a grandson of three years and a granddaughter of one year who both have him smitten!

Dean Reynolds

Dean Reynolds lives in Montrose, CO, with his wife, Megan, and two young children. Dean has over 20 years of experience working with youth at risk in wilderness settings and group homes. He is a firm believer in the power of restoration in an individual’s life through wilderness counseling. Dean’s experience has confirmed that when a person is away from the distractions of everyday life, he or she can move inward and begin the work of healing. This renewal process is possible when the individual allows the purpose and hope of God to replace negative coping patterns. It was from this understanding that Dean started Seeds Wilderness Way, where individuals meet with God to renew and restore their lives and become productive members of their families and communities. Dean has an associate's degree in Outdoor Recreation and Leadership from Northern Michigan University and a Bachelor’s degree from Toccoa Falls College with an emphasis in ministry and counseling. He was ordained with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in 2024. Dean’s wilderness experience includes work as a NOLS instructor, Outward Bound instructor, and over 1,000 instructor days in the field of wilderness therapy. He’s also served with search and rescue and as a wildland and structure firefighter. One of Dean’s great joys is spending time with his wife, Megan, with whom he shares a growing vision for cross-cultural missions. He loves being Dad to Nathaniel and Keziah, who fill their home with constant joy and wonder.

Sam Smith

Sam Smith (Treasurer) is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Georgia and is nationally recognized by the National Board of Certified Counselors. He is a member in good standing with the American Counseling Association, and the American Association of Christian Counselors. Sam is a Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Suicide Prevention, Bystander training facilitator. He is also a Save Your Marriage Before It Starts (SYMBIS) facilitator for individuals, couples, or small groups. Sam is highly skilled in Attachment-Based and Emotionally Focused Therapy. Although he uses a “person-centered” foundation with all his clients, he includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment Theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Logo Therapy, etc. to meet the needs of clients. Sam has served in the military for over 20 years, served throughout the world, deployed seven times, and continues to serve locally at Dobbins ARB, GA. Sam spent four years working in wilderness therapy where he enjoyed helping families work through struggles such as adoption, oppositional behaviors, learning disabilities, and many other issues. Sam is passionate about improving families and marriages. He lives in Kennesaw with his wife, two children, and two dogs. Sam’s hobbies include hunting, fishing, adventure races, coaching his kids’ basketball teams, but given the choice, he spends as much time as he can hiking and biking with his family. Sam also volunteers as a small group leader for the young adults’ ministry at his church.

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