| TomHarvill.com | It Occurs to Me |
Firefighters For Christ has long been among my most respected ministries. In the summer of 1975, when I became a confirmed believer in Jesus Christ, a friend of mine introduced me to the teaching tapes of Chuck Smith, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California. Along with my brand new King James Bible, the tapes were instrumental in whetting my appetite for God’s word. Not long afterward, I began attending Pastor Chuck’s Thursday evening Bible studies. Calvary Chapel was about 25 miles from my home in Fullerton but the drive was worth it.
Another teacher, Chuck Missler, had a Bible study on Monday evenings at the same Calvary Chapel, and occasionally I attended his in-depth sessions as well. At the close of my first evening in 1976, Missler announced that all his teachings were available on cassette tapes from Firefighters For Christ. All we had to do was add our names and addresses to the list on the table up front and they would be sent free to our homes. Missler said that a friend of his, Doug Wetmore, a senor firefighter in the town of Westminster, and the author of a unique “First Alarm Cookbook,” had a vision of distributing free teaching tapes upon request to anyone interested. And that was me.
At two separate times several years ago, I had occasion to visit Doug Wetmore at his home in Foothill Ranch, California, which doubles as the headquarters for the Firefighters For Christ tape ministry. Talk about a gracious host, Doug was all of that. He took me on a grand tour of the facility on the second floor of the Spanish-style stucco, red-tiled building, introduced me to his wife, Kim, and the volunteers who donate several hours each week to duplicating, labeling and mailing out several thousand audio cassette tapes. Understandably, Doug, and nearly all the volunteers are members of Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa. They welcomed me like a member of their family and made me feel totally at home. The walls surrounding the large workroom are lined with master tapes and copies, and on Monday Wednesday and Friday of each week the place hums with activity. The preparation and mailing is free of charge to anyone who requests one or more of the tapes listed in their catalogue. As of the year 2000, Firefighters For Christ had mailed over 10 million audio tapes throughout the world, and is still going strong. From time to time, I asked Doug to send me a couple dozen current brochures to distribute at my church and other facilities. Trouble is, many people can’t believe the tapes are absolutely free of charge. The funds necessary to produce and mail them are received, unsolicited, from various organizations and individuals who wish to support the unusual ministry. God has truly provided.
Doug has been on my mailing list to receive my It Occurs to Me stories for several years. In fact, the last time I called Firefighters, Doug answered the phone. “Sure I remember you, Tom,” he said. “I still enjoy your stories.” He was gracious even over the phone. Apparently, I had left several of my calligraphic scripture magnets with him the last time I visited; I had forgotten, but he remembered.
I guess I was one of the last to hear, but one day a few weeks ago, I received an e-mail saying that Doug Wetmore had gone to be with the Lord on October 22, 2002. I must admit, it rather startled me to learn that the vigorous founder of one of my favorite ministries had passed away. I don’t know how old Doug was or what illness ended his life, but I know for sure he left a tremendous legacy of love to those who, like me, were privileged to have met him. Others who knew him far better than I and who were his fellow laborers in the ministry, will experience a tremendous void as they continue spreading God’s word via the tape ministry. As for me, the next time I get to Southern California, I plan to stop by and visit the home of Firefighters For Christ tape ministry again, and learn a bit more of my friend and brother, Doug Wetmore, and perhaps pick up a copy of his famous cookbook. I’ll ask Kim to autograph it for me.
Appropriately, a memorial service was held at Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa. They say it was well attended by church members and firefighters from all over Southern California. I mentioned to Doug once that along with the teachings of Pastor Chuck and Chuck Missler, the tapes from Firefighters For Christ provided an early foundation for my Christian journey. That seemed to please him. I wish I had been privileged to have spent more time with Doug Wetmore over the years, but alas it was not to be. One thing is certain, however, we’ll have an eternity to fellowship, by and by. Isn’t God good?