CHRISTINE BELL: The Power of a Willing and Available Heart

Christine Bell has served at GLO, first in Smithton, Tasmania and then in Riverstone, Sydney, for many years, and we were tasked with finding out more about her life and ministry. It was our great pleasure to sit with Christine and hear the love she has for God and others shine through. We hope you enjoy reading her story as much as we enjoyed listening to it.

Tell us about your upbringing?

I was brought up in a Christian home, Mum and Dad were always involved in Church ministry. I didn’t realise how blessed I was until I went to GLO in Smithton and heard students’ testimonies.

What was your first encounter with GLO?

In 1989, I prayed and knew it was God’s will for me to leave my job. I heard there was an Evangelism Crusade going to New Zealand [Timaru], but I couldn’t remember who it was with. On my last day of work, my dad found the advertisement in a GLO Spearhead Magazine. Although, the Crusade was leaving in three days, it was not full and the airlines had one seat available. I had no idea what I was in for.

The Crusade leaders asked what I could do, and I said Sunday School. I did the stories and verses. We had services every night for a week, kids club every afternoon, and open-air meetings. It was full on, but absolutely wonderful.

How did this lead to GLO?

While I was there, Laurie Cowell contacted me about serving with GLO. I told him, “I’m not interested.” Laurie and Dr Don [Nicholls] then came to see me. They told me to pray about it, but by the time they left I knew this was where the Lord wanted me, I had perfect peace, it was amazing. I had to take that step of faith, and trust God would provide.

How many years were you at GLO in smithton?

13 years, they were the best years of my life.

I thought the Riverstone years were the best years of your life…

Well, up until then.

Looking back, why do you think you were hesitant to join GLO?

I was very quiet and introverted. It was a big thing for me to go to Smithton. When I arrived, all there was, was an electric typewriter, a computer “that came off Noah’s Ark”, and this old chair where my feet couldn’t touch the ground. It was out of my comfort zone, but it’s amazing how God works through you.

I also always wanted a beautiful house and material possessions. That soon changed and I found they weren’t important at all. God’s provision for me and the generosity of people changed my perspective on what is important.

He provides, He knows. He is a faithful God that will never let you down. That is what we always have to remember. To put God first certainly makes a difference.

Can we talk about Sunday School for a bit? This has been your lifetime ministry.

I started when I was 15, I love kids and was willing to help. It is such an encouragement, when you know the young ones you have taught then become Christians and go on serving God.

Would it be accurate to say you are a “Spiritual Mother”?

I married later in life and I didn’t have children, but I have all of these children, you know, and it is just wonderful. They are such a blessing. So, I feel like I haven’t missed out in one sense because they are such a joy to teach.

How did you use both singleness and marriage for God?

I learnt to be content in whatever situation I’m in  and whenever I got a bit down I would ask myself, “what can I do here, how can I help others?” And I would go and visit some of the older people in the Church and stop thinking about myself. The Lord knows our heart, we just have to trust Him and see where He leads.

Being single was wonderful too. I had time to be with the students. On weekends I would take them for picnics and have them over for dinner. In Tasmania I would take a carload of the girls away for Easter. I loved it!

So, then you came to Riverstone…

Fancy going to Riverstone, out in the sticks! But the Lord was working in my heart, it was time to move on. Smithton prepared me for Riverstone. Laurie told me I would be organising Spearhead, Prayer News, and GLO conferences. On top of that I started the Ladies Auxiliary or CAPS at Riverstone. I was quite fearful but with God’s help, He is just amazing, He gives you the confidence and the ability to do it.

Who have you been most influenced by at GLO?

Dr Don and Margot Nicholls, Laurie and Margaret Cowell, and Don and Joan Donsworth. Each of them has been a man or woman of God and humble in their service. Such great examples of trusting God. GLO is a family. It’s so unique and special.

Steve Walker gave me a plaque that said, “The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you.” I clung to those words in my Smithton days.

We need to ask you…Peter?

My darling Peter, yes.

It was a marriage arranged by God. We knew each in the 1970s and went out a couple of times in the 1990s, but there was no spark.

So, not love at first sight?

No, not at all.

In 2012 he was prompted by the Lord, I started coming to his mind. He wanted a reason to contact me and remembered it was my birthday – I was going to turn 50.

What Peter didn’t know at that time was I had been praying, “Lord you know my heart, you know that I would like to meet someone, but it’s got to be your will, could it be before I turn 50?” And the Lord answered unbeknownst to me the day before my birthday.

Peter is a godly man with a servant heart who loves delving into God’s word. We love serving the Lord together in hospitality. I have certainly been blessed.

What’s the biggest lesson you have received?

Be available and willing to serve Him!

I look back and I’m amazed at what I was able to do over those years. But it’s having that willing heart, being available, and trusting Him that makes all the difference.