Pastor Velda Bell

The Rector First United Methodist Church recently welcomed a new pastor. New pastor Velda Bell joined the local church three weeks ago.

A native of Charlotte, N.C., Bell said she first felt called to ministry during her teenage years.

"That's when I recognized what it was," she said.

Though she was interested in ministry, Bell went on to the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and received a Bachelor's degree in criminal justice. She spent several years working for various offices on a number of social matters. She has worked with cases involving child abuse and neglect, refugee re-settlement and juvenile emergency shelter and care.

She moved to southeast Arkansas in 1989. Since that time, she has considered Arkansas her home.

In 1995, Bell said she decided to heed the call to ministry. She began preaching in small churches and decided to go to seminary. She graduated with a Master of Divinity from St. Paul's School of Theology in Kansas City, Mo., in 2000. Prior to coming to Rector, she served as pastor of churches in Springdale and North Little Rock.

Though her time in Rector has been short thus far, Bell says she is enjoying her new home. "I'm very excited to be in Rector because this town has such a positive reputation."

Bell said she has heard many good things about Rector from other pastors during an annual Methodist conference.

"I must have had 10 to 15 pastors come up to me and tell me how lucky I was to be here with this congregation and community," Bell said. "They were right. This is absolutely one of the friendliest congregations I've been a part of. They're so down-to-earth and friendly."

Bell says she has a fondness in her heart for communities like Rector.

"I was raised in the big city, but with small town values," Bell said. "Both of my parents were from small towns. Small towns have so much to offer in terms of community involvement and fellowship."

Bell takes an educational approach to her duties.

"The heart of my ministry is making disciples of Jesus Christ through a better understanding of the grace of God. My driving desire is for people to understand God's love and acceptance for all people."

Bell has a 16-year-old daughter, Susie, who accompanied her to Rector. Susie will be a junior at Rector High School.

Bell says she enjoys listening to music in her spare time. She has a fondness for many different musical styles. She also enjoys anything having to do with beaches, as well as saltwater fishing and going on cruises for vacation.

Though Rector is landlocked, the absence of beaches has not hurt Bell's outlook on her appointment here.

"It's exciting to be here in a new place. I've really enjoyed meeting the people here."