The 2014 Legacy Banquet

One Another Mindset Award Brian Dye ’99 Brian Dye’s time at Cedarville helped him grow spiritually and prepare for service in inner-city ministry. An elementary education major, Brian served in a children’s Bible club ministry in inner-city Dayton and was part of the education organization, of which he served as President his junior year. Brian also opened his home in Chicago to fellow students to minister alongside him at Inner City Impact, a program he grew up serving in, which provides year-round programs including Bible lessons and various activities for the inner- city youth of Chicago. In his first year at Cedarville, Brian struggled with culture shock and missed serving at Inner City Impact. He wrestled with the idea of moving back to Chicago and expressed his thoughts to Dr. Richard Blumenstock. It was through this relationship that Brian learned the importance of experiencing seasons of preparation. He recalls that, during that time he realized “God wasn’t dependent on me to do ministry and at that season of my life; I would be best served to allow God to stretch me in areas that I wasn’t stretched in Chicago.” His education at Cedarville prepared and stretched Brian in several ways. He credits the Bible minor for giving him a strong foundation in knowledge of the Word of God, Dr. Phil Bassett for his passion for students, and Dr. Paul Dixon for his desire to do everything with “quality stamped all over it.” These lessons continue to influence Brian as he serves as the Mentorship Director for GRIP Outreach for Youth, a ministry that provides father figures in the lives of hundreds of fatherless teens in Chicago’s inner city. This outreach is accomplished through numerous programs and events including a yearly basketball league, weekly Bible studies, as well as a conference for urban ministry leaders, and an urban audio Bible. Brian is able to use his knowledge and experience in urban ministry to walk alongside GRIP’s mentors, providing leadership and encouragement. In addition to his work at GRIP, Brian serves as an elder for Legacy Christian Fellowship. Engaging culture through a biblical, "one another" mindset, Brian has committed his life to urban ministry and inner-city outreach. He has worked extensively with Inner City Impact in Chicago and is the founder of the Legacy Institute, a ministry birthed in Chicago to impact urban youth and young adults. The Legacy Conference is becoming a nationwide movement drawing together Bible-centered urban leaders to awaken our young people with an uncompromising passion for Christ and biblical discipleship. Brian is a leader and a mentor to urban youth and other urban leaders and pastors. He embodies the meaning of this award. When looking for wisdom, Brian turns to 2 Timothy 2:2: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” Brian and his wife, Heidi, have been married for 14 years. As part of the couple’s ministry, they have opened their home to more than 60 young men, each living with Brian and Heidi for a span of one to four years.