Endorsements

After the devastating fires in Lahaina Hawaii on August 8 2023, an urgent call went out across our global mission for Trauma Counselors. I immediately contacted Rik, within days he was at ground zero helping to bring comfort to those affected by the tragedy. As a Pastor and Chaplin he is faithful in connecting with local churches, documented in his Maui report he connected with 16 local pastors and churches from across the island who he had never met before, offering himself to their outreach efforts for victims of the Lahina fire and follow up pastoral care & counseling.

I have known Rik for decades, he has selflessly served and deployed to both local and foreign disasters without hesitation to bring relief at a great personal cost for 24 years.

My thanks to all of you who are part of or are considering joining his support team.

Dear Rik,

Having all four of your disaster relief team see us off like long-lost-family was pretty fun to me, even in the midst of otherwise very stressful circumstance being evacuated from our homes two different times in July 2021 as a result of the fires in Trinity County. Four wonderful Red Cross Staff seeing the three of us off home after being sheltered at the First Baptist Church in Weaverville for what seemed like forever. I can still see your beaming faces, a good memory.

One of our members, Ed, died within days of our return to our property. It shocked me! You were the last person to reach out and deliberately spend time with him and care for him. I was so moved by your taking Ed up the highway, pushing him in his wheelchair to get new clothes from that thrift store you somehow discovered. I know he wanted that- how did  you know? It was great. You dropped him off then you went straight back out to a laundromat, washed and dried everything and packed them, no fan fare, just a real basic help and kindness, especially to someone with such limited mobility. I thought it was amazingly wonderful!

I cannot imagine that you are able to remember all the people whom you help and interact with. I carry the memory also of your very focused help to Terry who out of worry for his son who had been left behind made the rash lunge to try an impossible rescue. Without permission he left the shelter on a bicycle and rode into the restricted fire evacuation zone down the highway, thinking he could rescue his boy, so very dangerous. Thankfully you went to the Sheriff’s headquarters to report his rash decision, they located him and brought him back.

Thank you for carving out some time to interact with me too. I was HIGHLY STRESSED and you made me feel welcome. Except for the fact that I didn’t want or agree to the whole evacuation experience, being at the Weaverville Baptist Church Red Cross shelter was an amazing and gratifying human experience. 

I found this magazine during our 1st evacuation to Shasta College Red Cross Shelter in Redding, I believe you also served in Redding. I had never heard of people who do the work that you do. I had brought the magazine home for further contemplation, and then I met you. It’s good work that you do, my eyes have been opened to a whole new dimension of humanity. 

I wish you the very best, and I thank you, it was my great pleasure to meet you.

Thank You Again Rik

Being in the nonprofit space and having led in faith communities for over three decades, you can develop an eye for leaders, especially spiritual leaders who are “stand outs”. I met Rik when I came to serve in a senior staff position at The American Red Cross in 2018. Rik’s giftedness and impact as a Pastor, First Responder & Disaster Relief Chaplin is clearly seen in the unconditional way he touches lives, including mine. It’s a wonder how such a humble leader can love so loud! I can testify that to Rik, “greatness” in life is a pursuit of significance, not success. He knows what matters to God, which is why he has chosen a life that is dedicated to serving others in crises and in what is often the darkest moment of their lives. Rik is a trusted leader and loyal friend who has earned his influence through integrity.

have known Rik Frye for over seven years and can honestly affirm that he exemplifies a superior aptitude for working harmoniously with first responders and various communities in a time of crisis or disaster.  As a chaplain, Rik is an exceptional human being and has a remarkable commitment and integrity in all his professional and vocational relationships. He displays a consistent reliability in character and is exemplary in his dedication to fulfill his gifts to serve others. In addition, Rik is reliable and dependable on bringing the Hope of Jesus to any situation. 

On Sunday January 28, 2024 I sent out a request for disaster response chaplain's to deploy to the flooding in Spring Valley,  San Diego County. Rik responded immediately, he left Ventura the next morning at 3:00 AM arriving in Spring Valley at 6:30 AM at our LAC, the Local Assistance Center for victims.  

To meet Rik is to meet the heart of Jesus in a unique way.

I met Rik Frye 15 years ago at Ventura Vineyard and he immediately made me feel special. He took an authentic interest in my life, he was someone that truly wanted to know how I was doing and would get invested in my story. I found out very quickly that I wasn’t so special, Rik was like this to everyone. I love that about him. It’s a lifestyle for Rik, from spiritual, emotional, and trauma care to vital hands on help in a national disaster. I have watched Rik serve and deploy countless times as a first responder for multiple organizations, churches, government agencies, including Police, Fire departments, and the Office of Emergency Services. Throughout my many years as Rik’s friend, whenever I have called on him for help, he has been there 15 minutes early. Always an encourager, Rik finds the best in the worst of situations, he has this gift for remaining calm in the midst of total chaos. I have seen firsthand the expenses incurred by Rik to deploy to disaster areas and serve our community and the world, and it doesn't come cheap. His service is 100% voluntary! My family and I support hope805.org because we know the good that he does wherever he goes. I encourage everyone to chip in and help support Rik and the ministry of hope805.org to continue serving the communities and global organizations that need it. 

We have known Rik for almost two decades, in that time we have seen him is many unique ministry interactions. He comfortably wears many hats... chaplain, trauma counselor, pastor and more, always leading & serving with grace and the desire to be the hands and feet of Jesus. One of his boots-on-the-ground moments (really a series of them) was caring for a local Ventura County family struggling to get back on their feet and recruiting all of us in the community who know him to jump in! He will seek out resources and get them in place quickly and efficiently to comfort and encourage those he is caring for. As his friends, we have seen him in one-on-one relationships, sensitive and supportive, quick to listen... surprisingly calm! Bringing almost impossible solutions with a big smile! We will always be thankful for the opportunity to pray and assist in any way we can as he continues to go into the highways and byways!

"Bless Ya Heaps rik"

I have known Rik Frye for over 25 years, in those years I have known of his many commitments serving full-time to both private individuals, churches, international relief organizations, including law enforcement and fire fighters. In my entire life I have never known a person so dedicated to serving and being a practical blessing to others. He is a tireless worker, whatever he puts his hands and heart to are not just "done" but "done to the highest level of integrity  possible." He is a personal inspiration to me and so many others. I couldn't recommend another person more highly than Rik to deploy and serve wherever he is called upon. 

This past summer Rik spent four weeks here with me in Eagle Creek Oregon, we took long walks together and dreamed how we could best be used in the future to serve the community and beyond. He encouraged me to go through the Red Cross training so I might be of service here in the Pacific Northwest, which I have completed and am serving whenever called upon. 

Rik and I have been friends for 14 years. We met 9 years earlier in 2001 when he began attending our Youth With A Mission (YWAM) - International Reconciliation Coalition (IRC) meetings, we reconnected in 2010 and have remained good friends and colleagues since.

Throughout the years I have found myself in several stressful and/or traumatic situations and Rik has been the first person I called, knowing he brings a strength and peace when he arrives on scene. Rik has an amazing ability to stay calm, assess a situation and come up with the best strategy to address the issues at hand. He also brings a reassurance, confidence, and a sense of safety when he arrives on scene.

Rik serves as a first responder chaplain & trauma counselor selflessly and makes himself available to help those in need, whether he knows them or not. Just this evening, as I was preparing to write this, a client of mine called in a panic, saying he was in an unsafe situation, was scared, and wanted me to come help him. I called Rik, just so that someone would know where I would be at, and he immediately offered to come with me. That’s the kind of person Rik is - always willing to help and always wanting to make sure I stay safe while serving my calling as an urban missionary.

I am grateful for my friend and colleague

I've known Rik all his life, as of December, 70 years. Our families went to the same church in Pasadena, and our parents were good friends. His mom was my Camp Fire Girl leader. He was always the little kid running around. Now he's a big kid running around...helping people during disasters this past 25 years.

We reconnected many years ago, 1 am a supporter of his ministry as a first responder chaplain & trauma counselor. He has been helping people cope with devastating circumstances, like the recent unbelievable losses from the January fires in Southern California. Here is just one example.

I now live in Washington State, away from the fires. But my heart is in Altadena where Fred & 1 lived for decades. On January 7th, I found out Rik was deploying to serve in LA, I asked him if he could find my friend Ann & her brother, a childhood friend & former neighbor. I assumed they had been evacuated from her Altadena home. I had no way to contact her since she didn't have a cell phone. That same morning within just a few hours, Rik had driven to Pasadena, searched the Pasadena Convention Center, and found her amongst several thousand evacuees. This was the first morning after the January 7th fires. She and I have spoken multiple times during this horrible ordeal, and Rik has been a "joy" to my friend. Her word.

I know Rik's heart is for ministering to and serving people in unthinkable circumstances, whatever their situation and beliefs. Rik checked in on Ann & her brother every day at the convention center shelter that first week, when she was admitted to Huntington Hospital for dehydration & other complications, Rik visited her there numerous times as well. Ann was not able to return to her Altadena home & was placed in a skilled nursing facility, Rik also visited her there, every day he was in Pasadena serving. He is still staying in touch with Ann now in March, two months after the fires.

Happy to call him my friend.

I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for Rik's leadership and guidance during my time working for him on the electrical at an amazing office we built in Ventura, CA. I am an electrical contractor and met Rik on this project for the first time. Rik's ability to foster a positive and humorous work environment, combined with his unwavering support, design insight, and attention to detail, was instrumental to the project's success.

Although Rik's full-time job is not in construction as a superintendent, he is s full time First Responder Chaplain, going on his 26th year, you wouldn't have guessed this was just his very part time side-hustle from his performance. His knowledge and meticulous attention to detail at every stage of the project were commendable. One particular detail that really impressed me- something I have never witnessed in my 25 years in construction— was how, during construction, he laid out all the furniture & spacing requirements on the floor with different colors of painters (masking) tape. It must have taken 10 hours to do this layout. For an electrical contractor, visualizing where each electrical outlet and each piece of furniture would go made a significant difference. This approach eliminated guesswork and allowed for the precise placement of all electrical items. The job turned out gorgeous.

I also admire Rik's clear communication style, which gave me the confidence to proceed daily. His belief in my potential was a consistent source of motivation for me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work under him. Rik's leadership was truly inspiring, and I am proud to have been part of his team!

I am writing to wholeheartedly endorse Rik Frye as a first responder chaplain and trauma upport counselor. My experience with rik has left a protound impact on my family, I annot overstate how much his care, compassion, and expertise helped us through ar incredibly difficult time.

I first met rik in 2022 at the Ventura County CCRT (Community Cmergency Response Team), training and certification course, where he was one of the instructors specializing in disaster & trauma care, the formal course title was 'Disaster Psychology'. Even in that rief interaction, I was immediately struck by his calming presence, deep empathy, an is ability to connect with people in their most vulnerable moments. He made a impression on me that stayed with me.

Fast forward to April 2025, when I was traveling in Chicago, away from home, and an emergency arose. While crossing the street after school, my l6 year old daughter witnessed a horrific accident where a boy on a scooter was struck by a car. The situation vas dire, my daughter was extremely distressed, fearing the worst. When she came home he was beside herself, unable to stop crying or talking about the trauma she had witnessed.

In that moment we struggled to find a counselor who could support her in the immediate aftermath, and that's when I remembered rik. I reached out to the CERT coordinator in Camarillo who quickly connected me with him. rik's response was nothing short of amazing. Upon hearing what had happened, he immediately went into "care mode" and promised to be at our home within 30 minutes. Just knowing that he was on his way brought a sense of relief to our family during such a chaotic and emotional time.

When rik arrived, he created a safe space for my daughter to process what she had seen. His listening skills and empathetic approach allowed her to begin the healing process. Later, we learned that the boy involved in the accident had survived, but the emotional trauma my daughter had experienced was very real. The fear and distress she had felt from witnessing such a traumatic event, and the thought that it could have been her, were powerful.

The following day, rik went above and beyond by visiting my daughter’s principal at Camarillo High School to report what she had witnessed and to ensure that the school was aware of the situation. He then followed up with another visit to check on my daughter’s emotional well-being at our home that same morning after the incident. His proactive, compassionate care ensured that my daughter was not only supported immediately, but that she continued to receive the guidance she needed in the days that followed.

rik was, without a doubt, a guardian angel in a time of great need. His ability to provide a sense of calm, comfort, and spiritual support was invaluable. Realizing we were a family of strong faith, rik also brought his faith into the healing process, which provided a sense of peace and grounding for our family.

I am eternally grateful to rik for being there when I couldn’t be, and for offering such genuine care during our time of crisis. His work is a true blessing, and I highly recommend him to anyone in need of compassionate trauma care.

Greetings, Rik,

It takes a special person to go to a place where so much devastation & personal loss has happened. Witnessing the aftermath of the loss of lives, homes, and businesses. To give comfort and hope to people whose lives were turned upside down takes a strong person whose strength comes from the Lord. I know a man who has a heart that does this over and over again. Rik, I have known you for almost 45 years, and you continue to give yourself to those who are suffering.

When I see you, we share a big hug. I am glad to offer some encouragement and support to you when you stop by the store. You are always welcome. Yes, we have shared tears at times, even though you are so strong with those many people who are hurting, you need to rest and regain your strength to prepare for the next trip. I remember your meany trips to Lahaina Maui and the support and encouragement you gave again and again to the fire victims. That was a long-term commitment that reached out to first responders, medical teams, police and fire, community leaders, and other chaplains and pastors in those areas. I remember gathering books a couple of times to send to you in Hawaii so that you could share some literature with those who were suffering tremendous personal losses from the stress and devastation.

We are so thankful to know you, Rik, and to see how you are being used by God to touch lives. Our prayers are with you. We will always have books available for you to give to those you work with. As the recovery continues, we will plan to make books available to libraries, schools, and individuals. We are making a three-year commitment to help provide free books to meet the unique needs for literature and Bibles to communities that are hurting in the slow process of recovery.

You set a good example of a truly humble man who wants to serve our Lord with everything you have. We are here for you!

Love you, brother.