BISHOP DESTRY C. BELL, SR.
Born: August 3, 1964 in Livingston, Texas
Parents: David Gene Bell and Connie Faye Bell
Education:
Barbara Jordan High School for Careers, Houston, TX
Charles Harrison Mason Bible College, Houston, TX
College of Biblical Studies, Houston, TX
Cornerstone University / Calvary Theological Seminary, Houston, TX / Lake Charles, LA:
A.A., B.A. in Theology
Masters in Christian Counseling
Doctorate in Theology
Chronology:
- Age 16: Received salvation through Jesus Christ.
- Age 17: Called to the Ministry under Bishop A.C. Nelson, Jr.
- Age 18: Received preaching license under Superintendent Ezell Simmons.
- Age 23: Ordained by Bishop T.D. Iglehart of the Texas Southwest Jurisdiction.
- Age 32: Appointed District Superintendent of the Inter-Faith District by Bishop Robert E. Woodard, Jr.
- Age 37: Appointed Administrative Assistant in Charge of Superintendents by Bishop Rufus Kyles, Jr.
- Age 45: Appointed Administrative Assistant and elected Chairman of the Pastors & Elders Council, Texas Southeast First Jurisdiction.
- Age 48: Elected Vice Chairman of the General Council of Pastors and Elders, Church of God in Christ.
- Age 53: Conferred as Bishop Designee of Texas Gulf Coast COGIC by Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. and the General Board.
- November 2017: Consecrated and installed as Bishop Destry C. Bell, Sr., Jurisdictional Prelate of the Texas Gulf Coast Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.
- November 2018: Appointed to the Board of Bishops’ Grievance Committee as Committee Secretary and Coordinator for Regional Bishops.
- June 2021: Appointed Commissioner of Ecclesiastical Services by Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard.
- December 2023: Elected Chairman of the Texas Inter-Jurisdictional Council of Bishops.
Bishop Bell’s journey reflects a deep commitment to service and leadership within the Church of God in Christ, demonstrating significant roles across various levels of ecclesiastical governance.
Pastoral Service:
Bishop Destry C. Bell, Sr.’s pastoral service is marked by a significant impact on the congregations he has led. Here’s
an overview of his pastoral journey:
- Founding Pastor: Word of Faith Institutional Church of God in Christ, Inc., April 1991 – July 2003.
- Pastoral Shepherd: Williams Temple Church of God in Christ, Inc., July 2003 – May 2007.
- Founding Pastor: Christ Temple of Deliverance Church of God in Christ, Inc., May 2007 to present.
- Pastoral Shepherd: The People’s Church of God in Christ, Inc. (formerly Eighth Street Gospel Temple), February 2014 to present.
Bishop Bell is supported in his ministry by his devoted wife of nearly 41 years, Evangelist Reatha Simmons Bell. Together, they have two adult children: a daughter, Shereatha, and a son, Destry II. His leadership and dedication are complemented by a strong family foundation, reflecting a well-rounded commitment to both his church and his loved ones.