Celebrating our Community

Meet Rik!

Rik is one of our amazing customers that we had the pleasure of doing work for recently; installing carplay, a dash camera and safety lights on his car so he is recognized as a first responder in disaster areas.   Rik is a deeply trusted and highly respected first responder chaplain, trauma counselor, and pastor, with over 25 years of selfless service across local and global crises. His work is widely recognized for its integrity, spiritual grounding, and unwavering compassion. Rik is a rare blend of pastoral care, professional trauma response, and spiritual mentorship. Across every testimonial, he is recognized as a servant-leader—deeply faithful, unwavering in crisis, and profoundly impactful in the lives of those he touches. His ministry is not only respected but deeply loved, and his work continues to inspire and heal both individuals and communities around the world. 

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Crisis Response and Trauma Care:
Rik is known for his immediate, calm, and empathetic response during traumatic events. One powerful account highlights how Rik provided urgent support to a teen after she witnessed a traumatic accident, offering in-person counseling and coordinating with school staff for follow-up care. His responsiveness, sensitivity, and ability to create a safe healing space were key in her emotional recovery.

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Disaster Relief Efforts:
After the devastating Lahaina fires in Hawaii (August 2023), Rik responded within days, connecting with 16 local pastors to support victims through pastoral care and counseling. His work there was part of a long-term commitment, as noted by multiple individuals who supported him with resources such as literature and Bibles. His dedication to recovery and outreach extended across numerous communities and disaster zones, both domestically and abroad.

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Faith and Ministry Leadership:
As a pastor, Rik integrates spiritual care with practical trauma support. Colleagues from Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and other faith-based groups describe him as a steady, calming presence who brings strength in times of chaos. He routinely collaborates with churches, local leaders, and government agencies to offer emotional and spiritual support where it is most needed.

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Personal Impact and Long-Term Relationships:
Rik’s ministry is personal. Friends and colleagues of over two decades describe him as humble, proactive, and quietly heroic. Whether visiting disaster victims in shelters and hospitals or mentoring others into service roles, Rik remains present and invested. His relationships often span years, continuing long after the crisis has passed.

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Community Involvement:
Locally, Rik is a connector—recruiting friends, community members, and businesses to help families in need. Business owners, pastors, and friends attest to his ability to mobilize resources quickly, listen deeply, and offer real solutions with grace and humility. His impact is felt not only by individuals in crisis but also by the wider community that rallies behind him.

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Rik’s service is entirely voluntary, and he frequently incurs personal expenses to deploy to disaster areas. Sound Doctor and many other supporters emphasize the importance of contributing to Hope805.org, the organization that helps sustain his work.