Reverend Ricky Charles Bell, a native of Kilgore, Texas, was born October 2, 1956 to Mr. Alonzo Bell and Mrs. Earline Giddings Bell. Pastor Bell attended public schools in Houston, Texas and graduated from Kashmere Senior High School in 1976.
He attended Houston Community College from 1978-1980 studying Business Administration. He also attended Union Baptist Theological Seminary, Mt. Hope Theological Seminary, Houston Bible Institute and The Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, Georgia. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology from Calvary Theological Seminary and a Master’s degree from Jacksonville Baptist Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida.
Reverend Bell is married to Mrs. Virginia Annette Bell and the couple has a son, Charles Anthony Bell and a daughter, Kharah Rachelle Bell.
Pastor Bell was called to the ministry in 1978 under the pastoral leadership of the late Rev. M.L. Bryant. He preached his first sermon on September 17, 1978. He was ordained on March 24, 1990 and he was installed as Pastor of Forest Lawn on June 29, 1993.
Some of the responsibilities in the ministry of the Word of God provides guidance in various areas of ministry, faith based community programs, counseling, and other religious services.
Pastor Bell has also taken advantage of many opportunities to serve the Lord by teaching in the Puritan District Association where he currently serves as Dean. Pastor Bell is also actively involved in the National Baptist Convention Foreign Mission division.
His affiliations include:
Lifetime member of the NAACP
Fellowship of Prison Ministries
American Cancer Society
Baptist Minister’s Association of Houston and Vicinity
The Frank Ray Expository Preaching & Teaching Church Growth Conference
The E. K. Bailey Expository Preaching Conference
The W. H. W. Expository Preaching Conference
National Missionary Baptist Convention of America