Our Pastor
Reverend April Bell
Her favorite scripture is Romans 8:28- “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” It’s because of that scripture, that she believes there’s always a blessing in the storm.
Reverend April Bell was born and raised in Vandergrift, PA and it was there, at Morningstar Baptist Church, where her church roots were planted. She began singing in the choir at the age 5 and was baptized in 1990 at 9 years old.
Rev. Bell graduated from Duquesne University in 2003 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and after relocating from Pittsburgh back to Vandergrift, she felt a need for a deeper connection with the Lord, and it was in 2007 that He led her to New Life Baptist Church, under the Pastoral leadership of Rev. June P. Jeffries. Three years later, the Lord called her to preach and teach the Word of God and she was licensed in July 2012 and was ordained in April 2016. During her time at New Life, she served as the Personal Assistant to the Pastor, President of the choir- Voices for Praise, Adult Sunday school teacher, Teen Bible study teacher, Youth Sunday School teacher and Youth choir director. Rev. Bell is also a gifted playwright- having written and directed two stage plays including, “Never Would Have Made It” and “I’m Saved, Now What?” as well as numerous children’s Christmas and Easter plays.
Rev. Bell, along with her husband Demond, are also the founders of After I Do Marriage Ministry, a ministry designed to help couples not only stay married, but HAPPILY married, through fun, fellowship and the Word. They stand firm on their belief in Matthew 19:6, which says, “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man separate.”
With all of the titles and responsibilities that Rev. Bell has, the ones she is most proud of is being the wife of Demond Bell and mother to their four children: Darius, Arianna, Alaysia and Aniyah.