Raymond Bell was born in New York while his mother was, literally, moving to Florida. He grew up in West Palm Beach until the age of 10. That year his mother married Warren Bell. Ray was adopted and the remainder of his life he grew up in central Florida. Ray considers his hometown to be Tavares, Fla.

It was in this small town, in June of 1978 on a Wednesday night at about 8:45 p.m., at the age of 19, that Ray accepted Jesus as his savior. This came at a time when Ray was serving as the youth pastor of an Assembly of God church. "The hardest thing I've ever done in my life was walk the aisle of that church and admit I needed Jesus" Ray says.  "Ironically, the only surprised person in the room was me! The whole church had figured out I needed Jesus and they were praying for me!".

Ray next went to Palm Beach Atlantic Bible College, and then served in the U.S. Air Force. He was Honorably discharged in 1983.

Ray is a graduate of Logos Bible Institute with a degree in Bible Theology. Although first being ordained in 1987 by Logos, he was last ordained again a second time, also by Logos (August of 2005), after his first credentials were accidentally destroyed. He has served, or worked, with six protestant denominations in his 40 years in ministry.

Ray met his wife Linda here in Roanoke in 1989 while on a business trip. Ray was a professional tractor trailer driver at the time. Being recently divorced, and desiring a fresh start, Ray moved to Roanoke. Two years later they were married. Linda then learned to drive a truck and joined Ray in his work. Linda drove with Ray for nine years. They closed their trucking company in 1999 when Ray sensed God leading him to consider pastoring. Between them, Ray and Linda have four children, three grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.  Linda has lived in Virginia her entire life and is a graduate of Radford University with a BS in elementary education.

In the 22 years he has lived in Roanoke Ray has been on the staff of:

(sometimes serving in one or more positions simultaneously))

Ray is called upon more and more to serve as a mediator/counselor in church related matters. Many pastors and churches in the state watch what God is doing in CCofVa. and they desire to learn the principles upon which CC operates. Whenever possible Ray fulfills speaking requests both in, and out, of our area. These requests have taken Ray to Wisconsin,Tennessee, Mississippi, and a host of Virginia towns and cities. Other talents God has blessed Ray with is professional Christian clowning(retired) as well as a master puppeteer.

Ray's involvement with horses first began at the age of 10. At a YMCA camp outside Jackson, Ms., Ray climbed aboard his first horse. In 1985, when he worked for "Sunnybrook Farms" in Florida, Ray transported Thoroughbreds around the country to and from the stables and various tracks. When not driving Ray worked as groom; stable mate; or farm hand. Ray has sought out any opportunity to work with, or ride, horses. Upon moving to Roanoke in 1989 Ray discovered the annual Roanoke Valley Horse Show. Beginning in 2003 Ray and his wife sponsored at least two classes of the show for four years. Ray was also called upon to give the invocational prayer at this event those four years at least two nights of the week long event. In 2006 Ray was trained and operated a carriage hitch for a local operation for two years. Such appearances included the New Year's Eve "Enchanted Nights" held in Vinton, Va. Ray currently is active on trail rides, wagon trains, and various equestrian events he is asked to appear at.

How did Cowboy Church of Virginia start?
In 2004 Ray and his wife traveled to Las Vegas to attend the PBR World Finals. It was there, through the PBR Outreach ministry that Ray was introduced to the concept of the "Cowboy Church". Upon returning to Roanoke, Ray presented this unique mission concept to his church. Like so many churches today, the people were unwilling to become involved with ministry outside their walls. Then an article appeared in the Roanoke Times that outlined what Cowboy Church ministry was doing in North Carolina. Inspired from that article, Ray and his wife set out making contacts around the area to start a Cowboy Church. The livestock arena in Wytheville quickly responded. Ray and his wife met with that staff and the first Cowboy Church in Virgnia was born. Since that simple start, God has exploded in Virginia and now there are 13 churches with many more towns still waiting on CC's. There are also now requests pending for CCofVa. to bring Cowboy Church to 4 other states and to 3 countries around the world.

In addition to pastoring and overseeing CCofVa. for the state, Ray works as a land surveyor for a local small firm.

If you would desire for pastor Ray to appear and speak, please go to our contacts link and click on his name which you will find listed under the Roanoke office link.

Cowboy Church of Virginia does not mandate any financial requirements for appearances. We also do not solicit love offerings when making appearances.
As God makes the provision, we go.