Pastor Bell
ON AUGUST 1, Jamaican actor turned pastor, Winston "Bello" Bell will turn 40.
Recently, The Gleaner did an interview with Mr. Winston "Bello" Bell.
"Bello" has been involved in the field of acting since his conversion some 20 years ago. But the veteran says it was not until he became a pastor last July that persons outside his close circle realised he was a Christian. In addition, he says, his one-year radio programme on Roots Fm has brought him new friends.
He remembers 20 years ago, the main factor to cause his conversion was the death of the closest family member to him, his Rastafarian grandfather. At the time when he was near death's door, his grandfather had called him and talked to him about serving God.
"Bello" remembers the spiritual void he felt - the need to go beyond what the eye sees. He also remembers his mother clearly saying, "You love drama, so you should come drama for the Lord."
And so he started attending his mother's church, Midian Zion Church in Harbour View. Just about then he was about to graduate from the then Jamaica School of Drama. The thought of giving up theatre for church lingered in his mind, but eventually his love of acting won and he found common ground between drama and God.
In 1981, "Bello" was baptised and remained very active in the church writing songs, poetry, drama. He was comfortable doing both.
His acting career boomed, and eventually he began to travel overseas.
However, between 1991 and 1997, he felt a desire to preach about "Jesus as a man of people and a God with sense."
In 1997 he settled down in Jamaica working with the Area Youth Foundation. He was not content with visiting any one church and his sojourn led him to the pews of the Catholic, Pentecostal, Moravian, Baptist and Jehovah's Witnesses.
On January 3, 1999, he started Time Out for Jesus Ministries with 17 persons (mostly family and invited guests). Today the non-denominational church has a membership of 45, and regularly has about 200 persons attending meetings at the CentreStage in New Kingston.
The members include policemen, professionals and a few gunmen. "Bello" who was ordained by Bishop V. W. Lawrence, New Life Apostolic Church says he considers himself a revivalist.
The strongest elements of the church, he says is the teaching ministry and the "very good support from the membership and very strong contingent of visitors)."
His greatest achievement was when he baptised 21 persons.
His philosophy is, "Don't let people's negative opinion of you become your reality."
Tidbits on Pastor Bell
Pet peeve: People who are indecisive.
Foods: The national dish should be stew peas and rice
Pass time: Spending time with my wife, just to talk with her
Scripture verse: St. John 3 vs. 16
Family: He is married for five years to Joy. He is father of one, step-father to 3, adopted father of 1, and foster father of 7.
Future: To build the Christian theatre, not necessarily a building
Delights: I love a serious play
Born: Cockburn Pen, St. Andrew
Attended: Chetolah Park Primary, Camperdown High, Ja School of Drama(1978-81)
