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Type:
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Resolution
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Status:
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Adopted
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Intro date:
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7/22/2020
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Current Controlling Legislative Body:
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Title:
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Tribute to late Apostle Dr. Lester Paul Bell, Jr.
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Attachments:
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1. R2020-570.pdf
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MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR APOSTLE DR. LESTER PAUL BELL, JR.
WHEREAS, God in His infinite Wisdom has called Apostle Dr. Lester Paul Bell, Jr;-, a most beloved son, loving husband and father, humbled servant, distinguished citizen and great friend to his everlasting reward, on Friday, June 26, 2020; and
WHEREAS, This august body has been informed of Apostle Bell Jr.'s passing by the Honorable Carrie M.Austin, Alderman of the 34th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Lester Jr. was the first born of the consecrated union between Lester Sr. and Genevieve Bell on June 11, 1930 in Toledo, Ohio, adversity would later lead him to drop out of high school at the tender age of 16. He altered his identification to join the army, learned to play the trombone in his platoon's band. A dutiful serviceman, Lester Jr. rose to the rank of Sergeant after five years .and received an honorable discharge; and
WHEREAS, After concluding his tour of duty, Lester Jr. returned to Toledo briefly before moving to Chicago, Illinois and staying with friends. There he was introduced to God's Word by Mother Bessie Bbtto and his pastoral passion would be planted but not yet harvested; and
WHEREAS, Lester Jr. joined the Roberts Temple COGIC under leadership of Bishop Roberts, in 1950, along with Reverend E.J. Duncan, himself and 35 young aspiring ministers visited with community members, praying and bringing many to Christ; and
WHEREAS, In 1955 he met and on June 16,1956 entered into holy matrimony with the beautiful Celest Brooks. They were blessed to parent three children, adopt a second son and subsequently three other children; and
WHEREAS, In 1960, Lester Bell, Jr. co-pastored Christ Deliverance Church (CDC) with Winston C. Hodges at the old Kim bark Theater, 6240 South Kimbark Avenue. The teaching ministry began to attract traveling Evangelists from across the globe. Pastor Bell, Jr.'s noble reputation facilitated relations with renowned men of the gospel, including A.A. Allen, R.W. Shambach, Dale Davis, Dan Walker, and others. Bishop Bell later became sole pastor of Christ Deliverance Center. In 1973 he would reunite with Mother Bessie Bptto and Pastor Elgin Little of God's House of All Nations and his Christ Deliverance Church began hosting services together over a term of seven years. He was ordained a Bishop in the Church of God in Christ Congregational under leadership of Bishop John Slack in 1988, ordained Bishop in original college of Bishops of United Pentecostal Churches of Christ in Cleveland, Ohio under Presiding Bishop Jesse Delano Ellis-II on August 21, 1993 as Bishop of Protocol, and bestowed the name Lester "Paul" Bell Jr. His pastoral work spanned various ministries teaching and preaching pursuing depth in the word of God. Bishop- Bell founded "Enlightenment Bible Institute," an accredited bible school and served as the President and Dean of Students. Bishop Bell served as Chief Advisor to the Advisory Board of Apostolic Counsel Empowerment Network in Chicago under his Spiritual son Chief Apostle Sylvester Paul Brinson III. He served as Bishop of Protocol and Professor of Biblical Studies during 2006 for St. Mark Covenant Church & Institute under Presiding Prelate Bishop Willie L. Jordan. And in 2016, he was consecrated a Chief Apostle on December 11th by Chief Apostle Sylvester Paul Brinson III along with a number of other Apostles as Chief Apostle and later honored on September 28, 2019 with an award named after he and wife Apostle Celest Bell from Hope Bible Institute & Seminary: "Aquila & Priscilla Award; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Lester "Paul" Bell Jr.'s church activism included service to community in all areas, his peaceful outreach unified the Blackstone Rangers and the Disciples to march down 63rd Street in solidarity. Well respected in the Woodlawn Community, he worked with area pastors, including Bishop Brazier, Leon Finney and together they formed The Woodlawn Organization (T.W:0). He also worked closely in the community he resided, becoming PTA" President for Horace Mann Elementary School and Booster Club President at Chicago Vocational High School where his three children attended. He likewise helped form the South Shore Commission in the early 70's; and
WHEREAS, As testimony to the importance of education, Apostle Lester Bell, Jr. returned to school. In 1978 he received his High School Diploma; a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Daniel Hale Williams University; a Master of Arts Degree from Governors State University in 1981; a Master of Science Degree from Spertus College of Judica in 1985; and three Doctoral Degrees from Monrovia College; and
WHEREAS, Apostle Bell, Jr. work ethic mirrored his devotion to serve, Apostle Bell, Jr. worked as a postal worker in 1957, later became a shoe salesman in Oakbrook; La Grange and Blue Island, Illinois. He engaged a civil career at All Nations Developmental Center Child pare in Chicago, Illinois as a Social Worker, worked for the Chicago Department of Human Service Child Service Division as a Social Worker at Dorothy Gautreaux Parent Child Center and within a year achieved promotion to Program Director at the site, was solicited as Program Director for the City of Chicago Denton Brooks Parent Child Center, retiring from Chicago Departrnent of Family Support Services after 25 years. Following retirement Apostle Bell, Jr. returned back to the work force, joining the Education Team at Centers for New Horizon, faithfully serving for 10 years before retiring permanently; and
WHEREAS, Apostle Lester "Paul" Bell, Jr. life was enriched full with humble examples, teaching, preaching, and raising up Ministers, being raised up, learning and feliowshipping with very distinguished as well as common men and women of God, his legacy wi|l be long upon the earth; and
WHEREAS, Apostle Lester "Paul" Bell, Jr. has an immense life story full with righteous works, a spirit and memories seen through the eyes of many who are saddened by his absence from the body, he is survived by a loyjng wife of 64 years Celest Bell, seven children: Jynean Wilson, Carlton Bell Sr., Althea (Raymond) Taylor-Parker, Michael Newell, Alan Bell, Erick Bell and Gloria Bell; six grandchildren: Latrice (Derrick) Echols, John Bell, Latanya Pumphrey, Genevieve Taylor, Carlton Bell Jr. and Chase Bell; five great-grandchildren: Ishaan Pumphrey, Savannah Taylor, Leia Pumphrey, Jazariyah Bell, Alexavier Bell; special niece caregiver: Katie Wilson and a host of relatives and friends; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this twenty-second day of July, 2020, do hereby extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family, loved ones and friends of Apostle Dr. Lester "Paul" Bell, Jr.; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Apostle Dr. Lester "Paul" Bell, Jr. as a sign of our honor and respect.
CARRIE M. AUSTIN Alderman, 34th Ward
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