My Story —

My name is Gary Lydic. I was born in Dayton, Ohio and grew up in a very loving family. Most of my childhood memories revolve around playing basketball, my favorite sport, at a neighborhood park. My mom and dad always knew where to find me. In junior high, I was known as “blocky” - whether that nickname applied to the shape of my head or its hardness is still debatable. Thankfully God softened my hard heart when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior my junior year in high school at a Billy Graham film. I attended McPherson College, a small college in Kansas, where I played a little basketball and baseball. Majoring in physical education, I had the privilege of serving as the Student Assistant Basketball Coach my senior year.

Upon graduation from college in 1971, I headed to Florida where I was hired by Walt Disney World. What I thought would just be an interim position until a high school coaching job opened up became a career with the Disney organization. From pre-opening to the completion of EPCOT Center, I served in management in Transportation, the Magic Kingdom Theme Park, Employee Recreation, and both the Contemporary and Polynesian Hotels. In 1979, I was transferred temporarily to California and WED Enterprises (the design company for Disney), where I had the opportunity to work as a Project Coordinator for EPCOT Center. Disney days were filled with many amazing and wonderful adventures for me. I received opportunities for career development and training that have lasted a lifetime. The greatest opportunity came in 1977 when I met and married the love of my life, Debi, a Disney Girl who worked in the Magic Kingdom giving guided tours. Our family grew from two to four with the birth of our sons, Trevor and Brent.

In 1983, after 12 years with Disney, Debi, the boys, and I hung up our mouse ears and made Pasadena, California our new permanent home. During our early days in California, I began playing early morning basketball with another great fan of the game, Dr. James Dobson. Dr. Dobson offered me a job at his young organization, Focus on the Family, while playing basketball in his backyard. Little did I realize the significance of that basketball court offer and how it would impact my life. I served at Focus on the Family for 22 years in Human Resources, Public Affairs, and as Director of Ministry Services. As Director of Ministry Services, I directed the Pistol Pete Maravich Basketball Camps, Single Parent Events, Life on the Edge Tour for parents and teens, Church Relations and events for pastors and families. During my time with Focus, Debi and I again moved our family to Colorado Springs, a place that will always be near and dear to my heart.

In 2005, I accepted a position with America’s Family Coaches, a marriage ministry led by Dr. Gary and Barb Rosberg. Debi and I once again pulled up our roots in Colorado and moved to Des Moines, Iowa. I served as Vice President of Development for nine years where I had the opportunity to minister as a “friend” raiser.

In 2015, after much prayer, Debi and I sensed God’s call to begin Onward & Upward Ministries, a nonprofit 501(c)3 ministry that focuses on relationship and character coaching for men and their marriages. We are serving others to help them move Onward & Upward through coaching that uses Biblical wisdom and Christ-centered encouragement.

My Family —

God has blessed my wife Debi and I with two wonderful sons, and now two amazing daughters. Being a father is perhaps the greatest coaching opportunity of my life. My sons wanted to share a few thoughts about me as their father and coach.

“There is no better example of what it means to be a man of integrity than my father, Gary Lydic. I am truly blessed to have been raised by a man who has put God, his family, and his friends as a top priority in his life. Dad has a true servant’s heart and wants to help as many people as possible. Dad is always the first to introduce himself and then ask how he can help them. When he asks someone how they are doing, he truly wants to know. This is very rare in today’s society. He will lend a listening ear, help coach, or just give a word of encouragement. He has blessed so many people in his life and will continue to do so through Onward & Upward Ministries.”

- TREVOR LYDIC

“In the Bible, Barnabas was an apostle of Paul's and known as the Son of Encouragement because of the way he came alongside the early church and built them up. In the same way, my Dad as been a constant encouragement not only to myself and our family, but to everyone he comes in contact with. He has always been there to encourage me Onward in pursuing my dreams, and reminding me to look Upward when faced with life's difficulties.”

- Brent Lydic