Dr. Ron Bell is passionate about emotional formation and the intersection of faith and mental health. In his current role with The Upper Room, Ron has been tasked with creating an Institute for Healing and Wholeness. This initiative will prioritize the mental health of pastors and leaders throughout the connection. Ron has also served in the past as both a new church plant pastor and also a pastor of an existing traditional church.
He is an author, a regular guest columnist for the Saint Paul Monitor. He has written articles for The Upper Room, UMNews.org and has published articles in the Minnesota Coalition for Death Education and Support quarterly journal among other publications. Two of his most popular books both deal with his work with grief and trauma: Is There Space for Me Embracing Greif through Art, and his latest book: The Four Promises Journeying through Past and Present Trauma. On his blog site www.DrRonBell.com, you can find many of his most popular articles on race, trauma, empathy, and grief. He has also created an ongoing webinar series on Trauma and Empathy that he has led with several universities including St. Paul College, Bethel University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Fuller Theological Seminary and several others, as well as with numerous nonprofits and county agencies. He serves on many boards including Minnesota Coalition for Death Education and Support, National Social Justice Clinical Pastoral Education board and SBC21 national executive committee.
Ron is married to Dr. Eboni M. Bell, and they have two sons.
Ron has a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Morgan State University, a master’s degree in Theology from Regent University School of Divinity, a doctorate degree in Ministry from Lancaster Theological Seminary, and has been certified in Trauma Response and Crisis Intervention from Rutgers University School of Social Work. Ron is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church and a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
