A PR major. A pastor’s kid. A social butterfly. Although these are all phrases that describe Rylie Pedersen, she is more than that.
Shaping Rylie’s Faith
As the child of a paster, also known as a PK, Rylie Pedersen was always surrounded by the church, but it was never really her own. At the age of six, Pedersen committed her life to the Lord, but it was never truly her own. Growing up in the church always meant she believed what her parents believed.
“I grew up in the church… I’ve always known Jesus. I accepted Him when I was 6 years old,” said Pedersen, “but my faith was always dependent on my parents until I came to college.”
For the first time, she was able to make choices about what mattered to her and her relationship with God. For example, she was able to select her own church instead of moving to a new church community every few years for her parents’ work. She also was excited to choose how she spent her time which was new to her. Would she decide to spend time with friends who supported her faith? Would she opt to spend time with God?
Although there was a learning curve at first, Pedersen landed on a combination of both has allowed her to deepen her relationship with the Lord and those around her. When reflecting on what shaped her the most, Pedersen said, “I needed to make my faith my own.”
Although her parents are still a huge influence on Pedersen’s faith, she finds additional voices to support her faith, such as conversation after Olivet Nazarene University’s biweekly chapel services or deep conversations with friends.
One of those voices of support is Reagan Thornhill, a close friend of Pedersen studying Biology, who said, “Rylie is one of the most Christ-centered people I know. We read our bibles together every Wednesday morning, and she also incorporates Christ into everyday conversations. I love coming to her for advice because I know it is sound and rooted in Him.”
Who is Rylie Now?
Even though Rylie Pedersen’s faith is a core of who she is, she has more to her. In the eighth grade, Pedersen was asked to determine her dream job for an assignment. She took a career placement test and the results suggested PR specialist, but she did not think much of it and moved on. While attending Olivet Nazarene University, she was originally studying business because she thought it was her dream career. When a friend, Haley Foster, suggested she join Inspired Strategies Agency (ISA) to gain more experience in the business world, Pedersen took the opportunity. While working with the PR team, she realized this was her true calling and changed major. Years later, her dream career now matches the results of the test she took in eighth grade. Her goal is to work long term at a non-for-profit, but wants to try interning in a corporate office to ensure she has a variety of experiences.
One of the places she feels most at home is at the Olivet Perry Rec Center especially in the late evening because she can always run into people she knows. Additionally, she loves working out in the gym, and described the Rec Center as the place where “all my favorite things are all together.”
Although Pedersen is content in the Rec Center, she loves to go beyond the university campus and travel. If she is unable to obtain her dream job, Pedersen wants to be a flight attendant. She originally got the idea from a friend’s mother, whose job as a flight attendant had taken her all over the globe. Although many deeply dislike airports, Pedersen stands out.
“I just love airports, and I love flying,” she said. She does not care if she flies by herself or with friends because she feels an adrenaline rush when she flies.
“Everyone is coming from so many different places. You have no idea where they are going, but for that moment you are all in the same spot and everything is at your control,” said Pedersen when reflecting on why she loves to travel especially in airports. She feels the opportunity to go anywhere in the world is invigorating.
