In Memoriam
Honoring Our Cloud of Witnesses
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” — Hebrews 12:1
The Free Methodist Church in Southern California stands on the shoulders of faithful servants who dedicated their lives to building God’s kingdom in our region. This memorial section honors those who have completed their earthly journey and entered the presence of the Lord during the past conference year.
These ministers, leaders, and servants leave behind legacies of faithful service that continue to shape our conference. Their witness inspires us to greater commitment and reminds us of the eternal significance of our shared work.
Rick Harrell
May 30, 1950 – Dec. 5 2024
Frederick “Rick” Harrell, affectionately known by many as Captain Compost, Mr. Fun, Bapa, Dad, Ricky, Pastor Babe, and Wick, passed away on December 5, 2024. Rick decided that God had to exist while watching a sunset overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, where he attended the Maritime Academy. A few years later he gave his life to the Lord during the Jesus Revolution.
Rick was an Elder in the FMCSC and served as lead pastor at the Brookside Church in Redlands for 13 years. Following his time at Brookside and before he retired, Rick worked with the Eden Projects, specifically with the tree planting projects in Haiti.
Rick’s personality was truly larger than life, bursting with encouragement and compassion. His love for people was unlimited and unbounded, making life a fun journey for him and for those blessed to know him. God gave him the gift of multicultural attunement, able to foster connections with individuals from every race and every nation, a testament to Christ’s diverse creation.
Rick eagerly shared his knowledge and wisdom with those around him, teaching others ways to sustain life spiritually, emotionally, and physically. He introduced many to Christ, discipling them on how to grow in their faith. Skills that he passed on ranged from how to compost, tree grafting, and tree planting, to painting and using science to defend his Christian faith, jewelry making and rock collecting, reflecting the diverse range of his interests and expertise. His last lessons that he taught his grandchildren in Kauai were how to identify a mangrove propagule and how to boogie board.
Some of Rick’s greatest accomplishments include marrying his beloved wife, Diane, fathering two wonderful children, Joy and Danny, and becoming a grandfather to his precious five grandchildren, Abby, Eden, Benji, Jordan and Jesse. He was incredibly proud of his whole family.
His passion for changing the world was palpable, evident in his efforts of planting trees and saving lives. Rick’s legacy is one of love and inspiration. He was a bridge builder in his churches, striving for unity and understanding among different congregations. He loved having conversations with the lost and leading them to the Lord. His efforts to reforest the deforested speak to his enduring care for our planet. A soul as vibrant and caring as Rick’s will be sincerely missed, but will continue to live on in the hearts of those he touched and in the changed lives he leaves behind. He is now in the arms of his Heavenly Father, where he can praise our Lord, run, eat cheese and sail the skies to his heart’s content.
