Paul Bell recording a program at the studios in Quito.

(Sept. 18, 2013 - by Harold Goerzen) Known for his catchy radio programs, witty sense of humor, melodic voice, heart for the poor and, of course, those gaudy polyester suits, retiree Paul Bell died last week after more than 50 years of ministry, 30 of those with HCJB Global. He went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Sept. 11, in Riverside, Calif., at the age of 83, his wife of 63 years, Norma, at his side.

Paul Timothy Bell Jr. was born to Paul and Myra Bell in Oakland, Calif., on Jan. 13, 1930. When he was 4 years old the family moved to Alameda, Calif., where he grew up, went to school and got married.

After graduating from Alameda High School, Paul attended San Francisco State University, majoring in music with the goal of becoming a high school music teacher. While studying he worked part time in an insurance office in downtown San Francisco. It was there that he met Norma Erickson who was a student at Bethany Bible College in Santa Cruz, Calif.

"He was not a believer at the time, but the combined Bible school and area church choirs were presenting a huge concert, and since he was a music major, I invited him to attend," shared Norma. "Through continued attendance [at my church], he eventually came to the Lord, and he felt God calling him into the ministry."

Norma and Paul Bell

Paul and Norma were married on Feb. 4, 1950, after which Paul finished his last semester at San Francisco State University before moving to Norwalk, Calif., where Paul planned to go to Bible school. Before he could enroll, however, he was drafted into the army during the Korean War. After his discharge, Paul enrolled at Bethany Bible College where he completed bachelor's degrees in theology and music, graduating with high honors in 1957.

Immediately after graduation, the Bells headed for the Bahamas to replace a missionary couple for four months. Upon completion of that assignment, they moved to New England where Paul pastored a small church in Lisbon, N.H., for three years. Then they moved to Newport, Vt., where they planted a church and ministered for six years followed by more than two years of inner-city outreach with Boston Teen Challenge where Paul served as director.

It was while pastoring the church in Vermont that Paul realized the potential of media outreach as he produced a weekly radio program for the church. "He got far more responses to the radio messages than he did [from the congregation], and the Lord dealt with us about the need for that type of ministry," Norma explains.

In 1970 the Bells submitted their application to HCJB Global and they were accepted as appointees a year later. After raising their support and studying Spanish in Costa Rica, they arrived in Quito, Ecuador, in August 1973.

Paul began serving as an English radio program programmer while Norma did mostly secretarial and bookkeeping/accounting work. Throughout the years, Paul also held numerous administrative posts in Quito such as English Language Service director, traffic and operations director, international program department director and interim director of the Quichua Language Service. Paul could also be found preaching in Ecuadorian churches or leading Bible studies.

Paul Bell interviews Kathy Meier.

"Paul was a faithful servant of the Lord, both of the mission and the local church where he served," recalls HCJB Global Pastor Jim Allen. "He was known for his constant efforts at humor, including inviting people to dinner at their house, but then telling them they had to pass some test before they could eat. He was always very deliberate in what he did and insisted on radio being 'done right.' We will all remember the old blue truck-too junky looking for anyone to steal!"

"Paul did a superb job of weaving together all the pieces of a radio program with his announcing and interviewing skills," wrote HCJB Global retirees Doug and Darlene Peters. "He and Norma opened their home to many missionaries, including us, and guests during their years in Ecuador."

Ron Cline, HCJB Global's former president now serving as an ambassador with his wife, Barb, said the Bells were "involved not only in mission-related activities, but in community needs as well. They served the poor of Ecuador in numerous, unselfish ways. Their door was always open, and when you went by you were invited in for coffee, dinner, pie, games or whatever. They were amazing!"

Paul Bell sings in a male quartet with Cornelius Balzer (left), Tom Fulghum and David Cliffe.

Veteran missionary Chuck Howard added that Paul had "an excellent tenor voice and was a valuable member of the Conjunto HC, the mission's vocal ensemble that used a mix of Ecuadorian folk music and gospel music to bring the Word of God to audiences around the country of Ecuador from humble country churches to the Presidential Palace in Quito."

Always eager to hone his broadcasting skills, Paul attended Fresno State University in California during two home ministry assignments, graduating with a master's degree in mass communications in 1980.

The Bells left Quito in 2000 and moved to Laredo, Texas, where Paul managed KBNL-FM, a station that is part of partner ministry Inspiracom (formerly the World Radio Network), for three years before retiring and returning to California.

"I had the privilege of working directly with Paul and Norma when they left Ecuador and Paul accepted an assignment as manager of KBNL," recounted Inspiracom CEO Glenn Lafitte who first met Paul in 1982 when he was a single missionary in Ecuador. "The Bells came at a time of great need for leadership at the Laredo station after many years of service in Ecuador," he said. "They could have chosen an 'easy' retirement, but instead immersed themselves in the needs of a struggling station and greatly encouraged our staff and listeners there."

After officially retiring in 2003, the Bells settled in California where they continued to be active in ministry. They served at the U.S. Center for World Mission in Pasadena, Calif., where Paul managed the ministry's bookstore that specializes in books and materials related to missions.

"It seems that Paul never really retired as a missionary but was promoted to glory 'with his boots on,' not unlike his namesake, the apostle Paul," added Lafitte. "It's a privilege to have known and served with this gentle, godly man."

In August 2010, when Paul's health began to fail, the Bells moved to Riverside, Calif., to be closer to family members.

Paul Bell 1930-2013

In an interview several years ago, Paul said it was satisfying to use radio to share the gospel with people worldwide. "Beyond the daily programs, I especially enjoyed helping produce radio dramas, and being involved in music. The country and people of Ecuador were a continual treat."

Paul will be buried at a Veterans Affairs cemetery on Thursday, Sept. 19, with a memorial service set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at Family Praise Fellowship in Riverside. The Bells have no children, but they have enjoyed their nieces and nephews and have numerous "adopted" nieces and nephews from their years in Ecuador.

Source: HCJB Global