Dean Taylor will officially assume the role of President of Zollikon Institute.
The Institute’s Board of Trustees announced the appointment today.
“We are very thankful for the privilege of welcoming Dean Taylor to be the next president of Zollikon Institute,” said Board Chair John Stahl-Wert. “Dean’s commitment to Anabaptist education and strategic vision, and his devotion to the church community, aligns very well with Zollikon’s mission. His years of dedicated service to Anabaptist values make him an ideal leader for this next chapter.”
Dean Taylor brings a diverse background to Zollikon Institute, having served as President at Sattler College for over three years. He holds a B.A. in Nursing and an M.A. in Anesthesia and has worked as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) at Pomerene Hospital in Millersburg, Ohio. Currently, he is completing his doctoral studies at Evangelical Theological Seminary in Myerstown, PA, with a dissertation focusing on the Mennonite Church from 1850 to 1950. For over 25 years, Dean has studied Early Christianity and enjoys teaching historical theology to the next generation of Anabaptist students. He also collaborates with Historic Faith in Chambersburg, PA, providing online educational content. Dean is widely recognized as a speaker, teacher, minister, and author.
Founded in 2021, Zollikon Institute is dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment that aligns with the values of the Plain Anabaptist community, empowering students to grow academically, spiritually, and personally.
A Transformative Journey
Dean’s transformative journey began with his wife, Tania, in Germany, where they were stationed with the U.S. Army. In 1988, during the Cold War, Dean first visited the Berlin Wall while Tania was in basic training, witnessing its imposing, guarded presence. A year later, they both returned to see the wall being torn down. Reflecting on this moment, Dean recalls, “As I stood there and looked at that, it really made an impression on me. I asked the question, ‘What changed?’ Why was it that last year I could have been called on to kill these people, and this year they’re calling me brother and friend through the holes in the wall?” This pivotal moment, along with the life-changing question, “What if Jesus really meant what he said?” led Dean and Tania to leave the U.S. Army as conscientious objectors and embrace an Anabaptist community.
Since then, the Taylors have passionately pursued their faith, including work on Lesvos Island addressing the refugee crisis through i-58 and Christian Aid Ministry. Dean is also a member of the ministry team at Crosspointe Mennonite Church in Baltic, OH.
Family and Community
Dean and Tania Taylor are celebrating thirty-five years of marriage and have six children ranging in age from nineteen to thirty-one. Tania has been an integral part of Dean’s ministry, supporting him in writing, editing, and hospitality. Their family includes their eldest son, married to Linda, with three grandsons—Hudson, Clement, and Winston; their second son, married to Paulette; their daughter Stephana, who recently married Kevin Krahn, a Ph.D. student at Ohio State; and their two younger children, Christina and Joanna, who live with them in Ohio, along with Tania’s mother, Margie Bokros. Their youngest son, John Wesley, is attending Faith Builders in the teacher track, with plans to teach at Legacy Christian School, where he graduated.
Vision for Zollikon Institute
As President of Zollikon Institute, Dean Taylor will focus on recruiting both students and dedicated Christian instructors. With Zollikon’s growth, he will play a key role in guiding students’ spiritual and academic development. Drawing from his international mission work, Dean plans to lead Zollikon in engaging with mission projects worldwide. He is eager to teach and connect with students in the classroom, creating a welcoming and supportive learning environment.
Among his initial priorities will be collaborating with the Zollikon team to develop vocational training programs that support local businesses. Dean is enthusiastic about building strong ties within the church and business communities and looks forward to forging relationships with pastors and leaders from students’ home areas, aiming to empower graduates to serve their communities.
Dean expressed his enthusiasm for the unique, community-centered approach of Zollikon Institute, stating, “As soon as you get involved at Zollikon, you quickly feel that it represents a real community. I am thrilled to be working for an organization like this that is so tied to the local community.”
The Board of Trustees is confident that Dean Taylor’s leadership will guide Zollikon Institute toward a bright future, enhancing its mission and broadening its reach.
As we welcome Dean Taylor, we extend our deepest gratitude to Norita Yoder for her dedicated leadership as the founding President of Zollikon Institute. Her vision and commitment have laid a strong foundation for the future, and her legacy will continue to inspire our journey ahead.
Contact:
Jason Moyer, Chief Academic Officer, Zollikon Institute
[email protected]
(215) 527-2349
www.zollikon.org