Meet The Pastor
Founder and Pastor Derek A. Bell
Derek Antone Bell was born in Philadelphia, PA in 1962 at the University of Pennsylvania. He was the first child born to Frank and Carole Bell, and is the oldest of three. Pastor Bell’s early childhood education was spent at St. Raymond’s Catholic School. While at St. Raymond’s, he was taught and learned about Christ and began to develop a personal relationship with his Lord and Savior. During those years, Pastor Bell served as an altar boy. Throughout his childhood, he was also responsible for helping to raise his two younger brothers, while his mother worked to keep a roof over the family’s head.
Pastor Bell graduated from Neshaminy Langhorne High School in 1981 and went on to attend Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. While there, he became the president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, president of the Biology Club, a member of Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, and featured in the Lou Rawls Parade of Stars Telethon, representing the State of North Carolina. He graduated with honors, from Shaw University, in 1987. Shortly after graduation, Pastor Bell married Linda Whitehead from Rocky Mount, North Carolina. They are the proud parents of two children, Michael and Courtney.
It was in 2003 that Pastor Bell heard the call from the Lord and began his journey under the direction of Pastor Byron L. Craig of Macedonia Baptist Church. During this time, Pastor Bell became the leader of the Evangelism Ministry, and participated in Christian Education, Men’s Bible Study and the Men’s Ministry. Pastor Bell then organized The Bell Family Bible Fellowship.
From this, the family moved on to the St. Jude Baptist Church in West Philadelphia, where he served as Associate Pastor. He was licensed to preach in March 2008, and ordained on July 25, 2010. To inspire and educate the community, he organized the Outreach, Evangelism, GED, and Computer Ministries.
After answering the call and committing his life, Pastor Bell is currently the Senior Pastor of The Living Word Church in Norristown, PA. He is a graduate of Biblical Theological Seminary where he received his Master’s of Divinity. He is currently pursuing a Doctorial Degree at Biblical.
Founder/Senior Pastor of the Living Word Church