Remembering Reverend Carlos R. Bell
We are saddened to share the passing of beloved colleague, mentor, and friend the Reverend Carlos R. Bell. Carlos served as the 26th President of ACPE, providing admirable leadership during some of the organization’s most transformative years.
Rev. Bell received his Bachelor of Science from Southern Bible College and a Master of Arts in Religious Education and a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, prior to completing his CPE residency at Memorial Hospital System in Houston, Texas.
Over his career, Rev. Bell served in many settings ranging from senior and psychiatry services to medical intensive and hospice care. His dedication and leadership has been recognized by the Southwestern Black Seminary Fellowship, which recognized Rev. Bell as a Distinguished Alumni, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which awarded him the Secretary’s Excellence in Chaplaincy Award.
Rev. Bell’s other accomplishments include ACPE Southwest Region Certification Committee and leadership roles in the Church of God in Christ. Most recently he served in the Office of Mission and Ministry at Baylor Scott & White Health as Director of Pastoral Care and Education.
Rev. Bell is survived by his wife, Samantha, who requested this news be shared with his beloved CPE community.
Memorial and Funeral Information
A memorial service will be held Thursday, June 11th at 7:30 pm at First Pentecostal COGIC, Dallas, TX
The funeral service will be held Friday, June 12th at 11:00 am at Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, Dallas, TX
Please send flowers to Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home, 6449 University Hills Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75241 (214-376-1500).
Reflections
”I always admired Rev. Bell from afar as a member of the same denomination. However, in the short but meaningful time I knew him, he proved to be everything I perceived him to be - consistently kind, gentle, and wise. From my first day until just recently, his periodic notes of encouragement and support to me arrived at the most significant and necessary moments. I am grateful to have them as reminders of his authentic and loving ministry to all. My heart is with the Bell family, his church, and all of his dear colleagues and friends. May comfort and peace be yours.” — Lynnett R. Glass, ACPE Executive Director
”The saying "still waters run deep" could be used to describe Rev. Dr. Carlos Bell. He carried himself quietly and confidently, but his words and actions both reflected a man who was full of wisdom. His leadership as ACPE President and in various ACPE Commissions and Task Forces revealed that same wisdom that came with grace, authenticity, and integrity. I am glad to have known him.” — Bishop Teresa E. Snorton, Past ACPE Executive Director, 2000-2011
”Carlos Bell was a generous soul, an educator and leader who welcomed others into relationship and into his heart. He represented so much of who we hope to be as people and as an association. I am grateful for his witness just as I mourn his death. May his memory be a blessing to us all.” — Matt Rhodes, ACPE Board Chair
”I met Carlos during a REM Invitational Closing Worship Service at Hood Theological Seminary. I was standing in what felt like a sea of aspirants and CPE Educators and he walked over and spoke a prophetic word into my life: “You belong here.” He had never met me; he didn’t know that I had just received a “no” to my request to enter supervisory training. From that day… almost for 30 years… in his soft, affirming, dignified voice he spoke life and encouragement into every professional decision I have made. Every conversation we had was a Master Class in excellence. He gifted me with a grace that has not been duplicated by anyone else in my life.” — Rev. Dr. Cecelia Ann Walker, ACPE Immediate Past Board Chair
”I am just heartbroken! Carlos and I have been on so many workgroups and committees together over the years. I was driving when I got the news and just had to stop. He was one of the most spiritually and relationally generous men I’ve ever met. Such a kind and honest soul. I am just devastated. My thoughts are with his family and all of the communities he served in excellence.” — Jonathan Ball, ACPE Secretary/Treasurer
”Carlos Bell is someone I’ve looked up to for years. During my CEC process and while Carlos served as ACPE President, he took the time to provide invaluable encouragement and consultation that I treasure to this day. Over the years, I’ve continued to be touched by Carlos’ generosity, faith, and love for ACPE.” — Brooks Heard, ACPE Chair-Elect
”Carlos was in leadership when I was on staff. I so appreciated his thoughtfulness and calm. I can still hear his voice talking about the "we-ness" of ACPE!” — Katherine Higgins, ACPE Board Member
”Carlos Bell was a dedicated and beloved ACPE Certified Educator for over 30 years, first with the North Texas VA and then with Baylor Scott & White Health. He trained as an educator at Memorial Healthcare in Houston, Texas with Deborah Whisnand, Don Bratton and Tim Vanduivendyk. He was a man of great compassion and love and greatly appreciated process and order.
As the 26th President of ACPE, he was most proud of his service with Certification, noting once that he had 100% success with his CECs. As a chaplain administrator, he will be remembered for his commitment and ability to diversify the pastoral care department at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.
Carlos led a life of faithful service both within the Church of God in Christ denomination and within ACPE. He will be greatly missed.” — Jenny Lannom, ACPE Board Chair and Baylor Scott and White Colleague
”I have never been as proud of anything I’ve ever done as recruiting and hiring Carlos in 1997 then working with him for 24 years. He made a huge impact on our Clinical Pastoral Education programs and helped us to dramatically increase our commitment to multicultural, multilingual, and multiethnic CPE.
He was fiercely devoted to his students and immensely proud of their accomplishments. He had a gift for tackling performance challenges and turning them into strengths. A wonder to behold. He was one of the quietest human beings I’ve ever known, sometimes to a fault. And he used that feature of his personality for the benefit of his students.
”He is one of the ACPE greats!!! He loved this organization, and he loved and honored all people! He valued and respected our staff like no one ever has! He told us regularly that no other association was as gifted as ACPE by those who supported it. He and Sam were so giving and kind in all things. He loved Sam so much, and she, him. It is truly a sad occasion.” — Terry Izaguirre, ACPE National Staff
”Carlos Bell is a gem, a leader among leaders, and a dear friend to the ACPE staff. I'm heartbroken. Carlos would often invite me to lead a didactic for his CPE groups to foster the intentional relationship between the ACPE staff and students/members. I am deeply saddened by this loss and hold his family in my thoughts and prayers.” — Jasmine Terry, ACPE National Staff