Hello
Thanks for stopping by! I've lived quite a number of lives over the course of my time on this planet, but one thing remains the same throughout the change of seasons; yes, my birth name really is Rix. Hope you enjoy a bit of my journey!
About Rix
The Early Years
Rix grew up in the burbs of Chicago, and early on was involved in an array of activities as a child, from church to school to sports. Family, including his younger siblings, Robert and Lizzy, was a cornerstone of his early life. With his mother as the Director of Children's ministry at First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, Rix became the church's youngest Sunday School teacher in 7th grade. His father taught him archery and coached him in football, in addition to inspiring creativity through writing. In high school, Rix would end up participating in football and track, serving as a student representative for the Historic Preservation Commission of Glen Ellyn, interning at First Congregational, writing for the school newspaper and publishing his first fantasy novel in 11th grade. At this stage of life, Rix loved playing Advanced Dungeons & Dragons with friends when he had free time. Upon graduation, he would select Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa as his next adventure in life.
Corn City
Rix would move to Des Moines, Iowa to attend Drake for a BA double major in Political Science and Religious Studies. Uncertain what career direction to pursue, Rix also walked on to the Drake Bulldog Division 1 (AA) football team, lasting a year before turning his attention to his academics. Sophomore year, he would would join the fraternity Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) and become the Community Service Chair. He served as a campaign intern for the 2008 Presidential Election primaries, where we worked on then-Senator Joe Biden's dark horse campaign. Having experienced both politics and the world of ministry, Rix chose to pursue the path theology over continued studies in Constitutional Law. He would find a passion in the study of Black Liberation Theology, opening his eyes to a new world previously unseen, ultimately choosing to take the risk and travel to New York City to attend seminary.
The Big Apple
Rix attended Union Theological Seminary at Columbia University in New York City, attaining his Master of Divinity with a focus in non-profit organizational structure and practical pastoral ministry. He would take on the role of Treasurer of the Student Body with future colleague and Secretary Joe Ciccone, become chair of the Union Sports Caucus and work the on-campus mailroom. In addition, Rix created and developed the first Sunday School program for Greenpoint Reform Church in Brooklyn under the guidance of Rev. Ann Kansfield, while simultaneously serving as a chaplain intern for New York Presbyterian Hospital at the Weill Cornell campus. The experience of coming from the small town Midwest to the enormity of New York City was a world altering experience in many different ways. At the end of his seminary education, he called to his first congregation only 15 minutes from where he grew up to serve as the Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adults at a church in the United Church of Christ denomination.
Back to the Burbs
Rix moved back to the Chicago suburbs to begin his ministry calling. Serving only a few years as the associate pastor, he was able to invigorate the youth program for middle and high schoolers, recruiting parishioners and parents to volunteer and help create a sustainable program for years to come. Additionally, Rix spearheaded a novel program for young adults, the Community of Young Adults (CYA) to foster community and engagement in church functions through dinners, mission trips and other church events. Unfortunately, Rix would find himself unable to continue in ministry at the time and would resign from his position before reconsidering rejoining ministry years later. He took his years in the wilderness to learn new skills, such as becoming skilled at drywall mudding, video/graphic editing, sound mixing, website design, and more before he made a move further north to the wild of Minnesota.
Minnesota Nice
Rix moved to Minneapolis shortly before Covid-19, working at a global corporation, BASF, as process support for customer service. Utilizing all of his skills to this point, Rix served as customer support for the company's customer support, finding solutions to seemingly insolvable problem. During this time, he was surrounded by incredible friends and support, particularly college friends, Brooks and his wife Angie, who played an important role in Rix's life. After his time as a contractor at BASF ended, Rix returned to Chicago again as Covid-19 took hold and he turned his attention back east, where the opportunity to re-enter ministry surfaced again.
Ministry in the Garden State
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As Covid hit the world, Rix found the need for those providing spiritual and physical support was greater than ever. His former classmate and dear friend, Joe Ciccone, now a Priest in the Progressive Catholic Church, invited Rix to enter into discernment with the PCC. Rix moved back to the East Coast in New Jersey and would be ordained into this denomination shortly after and would serve Saint Joseph Mission Church as Associate Pastor and Director of Spiritual Formation. Over this time, he would serve as a chaplain for the Fraternal Order of Police and New York Presbyterian Hospital, as well as officiating over 80 weddings and assisting in over a hundred more. Rix would publish several books and other social media ventures during this time period, eventually finding a calling that would give even greater purpose to communities in need.
The Present Day
Now, Rix works as a Case Manager for The Fortune Society, who's motto is "Building People, not Prisions." He works in the Supervised Release Program with participants who are currently going through legal situations in the Bronx Criminal Court System. He is still working as a part-time pastor and working on several new writing projects. Where the next chapter starts, no one knows, but Rix will be ready for that when the future has in store.