Jay Bell

Jay Bell was born and raised in Los Angeles.  His first cross-cultural experience was a U.S. government all-expense paid trip to Viet Nam.  Thinking Jay must enjoy getting shot at, his Uncle Sam sent him back to “The Nam” for two additional tours of duty.

Upon returning back to the “real world,” Jay graduated from Cal-State, University, Long Beach.  While attending Talbot Seminary, Jay went on staff with the Long Beach Grace Brethren Church in 1976 as the Pastor of College Ministries and Missions.  During that time he participated in the planting of three ethnic churches:  Grace Cambodian, Grace Indonesian and Iglesia Evangelica de los Hermanos.

Jan Bell was also born and raised in Los Angeles.  She graduated from Cal-State, University, Long Beach.  It was during her first year of teaching sixth grade in Long Beach that they met through Campus Crusade for Christ.  They married on July 10, 1971.  Their daughter Kristin is a graduate of Grace College and is married to a Grace College grad named Dave Jones.  Their son Steve is also a Grace College grad.   

The Bell’s made a “cross-cultural leap” from L.A. to Winona Lake, Indiana in 1991 to go on staff with Grace Brethren International Missions.  Jay currently serves as the Director of Internationals USA, with the missions' arm of the Charis Fellowship, Encompass World Partners.