My father was a UMC ordained pastor! I grew up in the United Methodist Church. As children, UMC annual conferences were like family reunions to us: BUMP, BMCR, the United Methodist Men, and now, the United Women of Faith were all childhood staples for me. It was fun sitting around a table full of pastors, listening to them as they discussed the history and politics of ‘the Church.’ So, it may surprise you that I never wanted to be pastor. I was a musician and had decided early in life that I would grow up to be a lawyer by day, and my night job would be playing in clubs as a jazz musician.
In high school, I had my own jazz band and played with other local bands. In college, I received a scholarship to play the saxophone at the ‘Magnificent Marching Machine’ Band for Morgan State University. By my third year at Thomas Cooley School of Law in Lansing, MI; I just knew that my plans were set in stone. I was a musician, attending law school certain of my path, when one cold Michigan morning, I heard and felt a voice in my spirit say, “preach.”
I thought I could trick God. I could not shake the voice calling me to preach, so, rather than run away from it, I found a dual degree program on the east coast at Regent University that would allow me to complete my JD degree and get a MDIV in theology. In my head, I would still become a lawyer and serve on the Judicial Council for the UMC denomination and that would appease God. I had figured out that I could have it ALL, my way: practice law by day and play jazz at night.
While in seminary at Regent University, I got a job working for the Virginia Bureau of Prisons helping male returning citizens transition from federal prison to halfway houses and eventually, to homes. I coordinated all the available support and resources for each man. I collaborated with counselors, parole/probation officers, local support groups and most importantly, their families. I visited the intended residence of each returning citizen, met with their support, did home inspections, and signed off on the process. For four years, I walked hand in hand with these men who were transitioning from prison, to become husbands, fathers, sons, and citizens once again.
One afternoon, I shared with a friend a success story about a guy who had spent his childhood in prison and was now mentoring youth in Norfolk: serving his community and happily married with a newborn. My friend replied, “That is a testimony!” In that defining moment – it dawned on me what it meant to be in ministry! It is the opportunity for a front row seat to see the power of God at work: watch lives transformed, empowered, forgiven and loved by God, and for everyone to accept these men entirely in their renewed state. I can preach that! That is love. Love transforms us. It does not leave us as it found us but instead it reshapes us. While love was working ‘through’ me to care for those men in their transformational journey, love was also working ‘on’ me to reshape, soften and
refocus my heart – ALL at the same time. That is love! Amen.
Dr. Ron Bell
