BY FAITH WE WENT
The missions story of Bob and Madeline Bell
by Madeline Bell © 2000
It was 1967, the Spirit of God was being poured out…
God moved in our lives in a mighty way. We both received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Then, God spoke to our hearts about going to Mexico.
Bob had been working for Burroughs Corporation as a field engineer. With nearly ten years seniority completed at Burroughs, Bob quit his job and we entered full time service for the Lord.
We sold our home and left for Mexico City… to help another missionary family with their work. This was November of 1969. We were in our early thirties then. Our children, Kathleen, Clifton and Sheryl, were 9 ½, 7 and not quite yet 2 years of age.
On our second day into Mexico, while driving in the mountains, our car slid off the road and down a cliff. At that time God performed many miracles, not the least of which was sparing our lives… a story in itself.
After several months in Mexico we met Ken Sumrall, founder of Liberty Church of Pensacola, Florida, and related ministries. God led us to return to the United States for a time of training. We were in Pensacola for a few years to attend Liberty Bible College. We also spent n
ine months after that in Spanish language school before returning to Mexico.
Our first year as missionaries was under Liberty Church, as Globe International was not yet formed. At that time we worked in León, Guanajuato, Mexico with senior missionaries Roger and Linda West.
We then moved to Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico where we lived nine years. During those years our main thrust was in evangelistic campaigns. Using our home as a base, we ministered not only in Guadalajara, but into many outlying areas. Our efforts were to strengthen existing churches and to birth new ones.
Later we became burdened by the need for good biblical teaching in Spanish. In 1981 we began recording anointed Bible teachers on film. This was the beginning of Koinonia Video Films.
Our ministry was well established, and things were going great. Then, God began speaking to us about a move to the border. As we waited on Him, His leading became stronger and clearer.
In December of 1981 God sent us to the border city of Del Rio, Texas. He has blessed the move, giving us rapport with the people and opening many doors of ministry here. We continue to work with various denominations. Our goal still remains to build up churches and gain souls for the Kingdom of God.
Over the years the ministry has incorporated various new outreaches for proclaiming the Word. Besides teaching, preaching and counseling, we also help hold teaching seminars for pastors, televisions programs, etc. Our ministry is multifaceted.
Our own Koinonia Video Films teachings, along with two other Bible schools on video, we copy and distribute to Mexican pastors.
The desire of our heart, and goal for which we labor, is to see souls birthed into the Kingdom of God, and to see greater maturity and unity in the church.
Faith in God means obedience to His will for us. The Bible’s example of faith, Abraham, obeyed and went as God commanded. God always works out the details if we obey His Voice.
During about fifteen years of our service time in Mexico, we took care of Mrs. Hoy, Madeline’s mother. Then for several years she was in a nursing home in Del Rio and passed away in August of 1998.
Our move to the border also enabled us to be near enough to have helped some with Bob’s elderly father (who passed away in February of 1995).
Had we waited for ideal circumstances to begin our mission work, we would have had a long wait. After thirty years of service on the mission field we can say, “Yes, God is faithful!” He takes care of the circumstances when we by faith act in obedience.
Our children are now all grown and married, and we have seven grandchildren.
We praise God. He has blessed us and given us fruit in the ministry. With our children all grown and the care of our parents no longer necessary, we expect even greater fruitfulness ahead.
© 2000, Rev. 2003
ADDENDUM
by Clifton Bell
The above. By Faith We Went, was written by my Mom, Madeline Bell, in 2000. She entered the Presence of the Lord in May of 2015. Though her loss is felt tremendously, and despite some physical challenges because of the toll the years have had on him, Dad is continuing on in the ministry. In 2016 Dad will celebrate his 80th birthday and mark 47 years since he answered God’s call to full time missions.
What’s Happened Since Then
As Mom anticipated, their ministry continues to bear much fruit in the Five Springs Region of Coahuila (south of Del Rio, TX) where Dad spent many years building up the churches. A few years ago as my parents began to experience some health issues and as the drug related violence along the border spiked, Dad began to do more in the Del Rio area itself: ministering in churches and serving as a chaplain in the local hospital.
Only the Lord knows how many local churches have new members because of souls saved through Dad’s ministry as hospital chaplain! Had the Lord led him to start a church of his own, I’m sure it would be substantial! However, God led him to build up and help the churches already established regardless of their denominational affiliation. That’s the point, isn’t it? To see the Kingdom of God established and extended. The churches which have benefitted from his ministry surely count in the hundreds.
Current Ministry Focus
While Dad still ministers in churches and continues to pastor pastors and leaders, several years ago Dad saw another people group nearby that needed to be reached for Christ. Never one to back down from a challenge, Dad started ministering in the local federal prisons in Del Rio and in Eagle Pass. The federal prison in Del Rio alone houses 1,400 men, many of whom are serving sentences for organized crime in the cartels of Mexico. Some have pasts which are quite violent. Others are there for immigration issues or for racketeering and corruption charges. Many of these prisoners only speak Spanish. While the population rotates, Dad has the unique opportunity to minister to these men the hope and power of the Gospel, and to disciple them.
Each week Dad goes to the prisons and makes his rounds, planting seed of the Gospel in some, building trust, cultivating and watering that which has already been sown, and producing a harvest. He works with those who respond to Christ, teaching, grounding, discipling and encouraging. All this has to be done on foot walking from cell to cell. In another sub-section of this site I will include excerpts from a letter written by one of those men who is now studying Bible courses to prepare himself for the work of the ministry!
As some are prisoners are freed to return home, Dad has been able to help them find a good local church where they can plug in. Others have family members who have also received Jesus as Savior because of the testimony of their incarcerated loved one and have also been directed to 
good local churches.
Finding Gold
Prison ministry is spiritually very rewarding as you can reach people who realize their vulnerability and need for God. Of course, there are always a few questionable “jailhouse conversions” which lack the commitment. Like dealing with people anywhere, it’s like panning for gold and separating the real nuggets from the fools’ gold. But there are some men who have genuinely had an experience with God and are hungry for more, willing to deny themselves, pick up their cross and follow Jesus.
The Challenge
On the other hand, prison ministry features no offerings, so whoever is involved needs to have another means of support. Now more than ever Bob needs your prayers and financial support to enable him to continue this effective and proven ministry. I encourage you to prayerfully consider adding Bob Bell’s ministry to your missions’ giving.
The man I have become and the ministry I have today are mostly due to Dad and Mom’s influence in my life. All my life Dad has been an example of great faith, utmost integrity, a hard work ethic, immense generosity, and always seeking to serve God and others. He won’t mention it, but I will. I can emphatically say you would be hard pressed to find better soil in which to sow.
May the Lord bless you.
Cliff Bell
(Bob Bell’s son)