Rob Bell

Rob Bell is a pioneer among those forming a new kind of Christian expression. At 28, he founded Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a megachurch that threw out the conventional sermon-and-worship service and instantly drew thousands of attendees.

He is the best-selling author of a number of books, including Velvet Elvis, Sex God, Jesus Wants to Save Christians, and Drops Like Stars. In his latest book, Love Wins, Bell deals directly with a core issue for all Christians--providing provocative answers about God's judgment and what happens after we die.

As a student at Wheaton College, Bell fronted a band that seemed poised to break nationally. When it didn't, he attended Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, and apprenticed at a megachurch before founding Mars Hill. Grand Rapids is notoriously well churched, but Bell saw an untapped audience: those left cold by traditional church services. Fifteen hundred people, alerted by word of mouth, came that first Sunday. Now, Mars Hill has several thousand people attending each week.

Bell appeals to a young audience through his stand-up style monologues, rather than delivering three-point-sermons. On his national speaking tours, Bell draws sell-out crowds through mixing his unique and fresh teachings with art and audience participation. He has been profiled in TIME and other venues. He is also the featured speaker in NOOMA, a series of pioneering spiritual short films that investigate questions of faith and explore the world from the perspective of Jesus.

Bell and his wife, Kristen, live in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with their three children.

Articles by Rob Bell

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David Crumm: Rob Bell and Kristen Bell bring ”˜The ZimZum of Love’

Friday January 09, 2015
ReadTheSpirit Editor David Crumm interviewed Rob and Kristen Bell about their new book on marriage, The Zimzum of Love: A New Way of Understanding Marriage.

Rob Bell: The Good News Is Better Than That: Reflections on Hell, Salvation and the Power of Love

Sunday April 03, 2011
I spend the past several years writing a book called "Love Wins" which released last week and, from what I'm told, has generated a fair bit of, well, controversy. So why did I write the book?

Video by Rob Bell

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Rob Bell - Day1 Conversations

Friday April 15, 2011
Author of the controversial new book, _Love Wins,_ Rob Bell sits down with Peter Wallace for an in-depth interview discussing his 2011 book, his understanding of why the idea is controversial, and the life of his thriving church based in an old mall, which focuses on stripping away everything but the most important part of church: The Community. Join us for an interesting and thoughtful conversation on faith and God's love.

The Rabbi From Krakow - A short message from Rob Bell

Monday April 11, 2011
Rob Bell offers an inspirational message through an age old story on the certainty of God's love.

Radio by Rob Bell

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A Conversation with Rob Bell: "Love Wins"

Friday April 08, 2011
Rob Bell, author of the controversial new book "Love Wins," sits down with Day1 host Peter Wallace to talk about his church, his ministry, and God's love for all.