Walking alongside women who have been wounded by the church or other traumatic life experiences has become Athena Dean Holtz’s greatest joy as they experience healing through the power of God’s Word and His Spirit together.

After 13 years of a “Job-like” experience where she lost everything she held dear, Athena Dean found God redeeming her in ways she could never have expected. Through this intense period of suffering and healing from the fallout of toxic leadership and extreme spiritual abuse, God proved Himself faithful to walk with her through the valley of the shadow of (emotional) death and brought her into wholeness and restoration.

Athena Dean’s modern-day Cinderella story is a testimony to the faithfulness of God, and the stories of how God has shown Himself as a Romans 8:28 God are found in her books. “Full Circle: Coming Home to the Faithfulness of God” and “Together for a Purpose: Love and Mission in Marriage and Ministry.”

More recently, she experienced some struggles in her publishing business that forced her to look at unhealthy ways she avoided conflict and ended up paying a dear price for sticking her head in the sand. How faithful is our God! He moved in her own heart as she faced a challenge that brought refining to her business with unexpected rewards! In fact, Redemption Press qualified as Best Christian Workplace in 2021, 2022 and 2023!

Athena Dean’s favorite time of day are early mornings with Jesus. She also loves sail boats and RV time with her prince charming, meeting friends all over the country at conferences and events, and boutique shopping.