Dana was born on February 22, 1963. He married Cathy Cagle on August 17, 1985. They have two sons, Drew Steven born June 4, 1991 and Daniel Dustin, born June 21, 1996.

Dana earned a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Religion and History from Baylor University in 1985. He then went on to earn Master of Divinity (1988) and Doctor of Philosophy (1994) degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. 

Prior to serving at Second Baptist Church, he pastored Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Amarillo, Texas, Mustang Baptist Church, Pilot Point, Texas and New Salem Baptist Church, Rosebud, Texas. Dan has taught adjunctively for Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Amarillo extension and Wayland Baptist University Amarillo extension.

Dana has been on mission trips to Russia; Ghana, West Africa; Brazil and Durango, Mexico. He is also active in denominational work and community activities. He enjoys golf, football, classic movies, old cars and family cookouts.