The Reverend Raymond C. Bell serves as the Senior Pastor of FIRST RISING MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH in Washington, District of Columbia. He was born the second child of Frankie Jean Webster-Bell and Clarence David Bell, Sr. in Beaumont, Texas. Raymond is the product of a large Christian blended family. While in the first grade, Rev. Bell’s father died. One year later, Rev. Bell’s mother married a minister, the Rev. E.E. Jones who had seven children of his own. Immediately Rev. Bell’s family went from four to twelve. The church from then on became Rev. Bell’s central experience. There he received his elementary education at the Pipkin Elementary School, Bowie Middle School; and secondary education at French High School. He further received the Associate of Applied Science in Substance Abuse Counseling; and Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, the Master of Divinity Degree at Virginia Union University (graduating Magna Cum Laude) and a Masters of Arts in Christian Education from the Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia.

Since his early youth, Pastor Bell has been actively involved in the work of the Church. He was licensed to preach to the Christian Ministry at the Holman Street Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. He was later ordained at the Great Hope Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. It was at Great Hope that he met and married his sweetheart, the former C. LaVerne White, and they have been blessed with one son, Kenneth W. Crandell, Jr.

While in seminary, Rev. Bell was chosen by Virginia Union University, Dean's Academic Excellence Award, 1997; Adam Clayton Powell Scholarship Award (2 consecutive years), 1995 & 1996. He has been awarded with the St. Joseph's Villa Team Leadership Award, 1996; Tri-County MH/MR Team of Excellence Award, 1993; The National Dean’s List Honorary Award, 1992; Nominated for the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce Leadership Beaumont Award, 1992; and The Kappa Alpha Psi Outstanding Service Award, 1982.

Currently, Pastor Bell has served as a the Past Chairman of Religious Affairs—Westmoreland County, NAACP (2000-2003); Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity—(serving as Past Chapter President and Regional Vice President); He currently serves as a member of the Missionary Baptist Minister’s Conference of DC & Vicinity; Board Member of Mt. Bethel Baptist Association; Founding Board Member & Executive Director of Clergy-Police-Community Partnership of Regional Organizational Command of DC; Board Member Of Workers Rights Board of DC. Rev. Bell is an avid writer. He has written various articles and manuals in the church and within the body. He has been blessed to carry his ministry across the country where he has lectured, preached and taught in numerous conferences, conventions, commencements, retreats, revivals and other special events. He has become very sensitive to the spiritual needs of individuals, and therefore focuses his ministry primarily, but not exclusively toward persons who are hurting—especially in the church. Finally, Pastor Bell seeks to empower and uplift all humanity through the life-changing, uncompromising Word of God.