Meet Our Staff
Pastor Mike Bell has faithfully served in pastoral ministry for more than 50 years and is honored to lead West Highland Baptist Church in Bessemer, Alabama. Born in Peoria, Illinois, and raised in Vance, Alabama, Pastor Mike gave his life to Christ in 1968 and soon after answered God’s call to ministry. Since then, he has joyfully pastored nine churches, sharing the gospel and shepherding God’s people with compassion and commitment.
Pastor Mike earned his GED through the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa after attending Brookwood High School. He values lifelong learning and studied at Faith Baptist Bible College in Bessemer, Alabama (an extension of Howard University School of Divinity), focusing on Homiletics and Bible Education. He also continued his training at Bible College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he concentrated on Church Growth, Organizational Leadership, and Bible Studies, graduating with a GPA of 3.0.
Pastor Mike and his wife, Theresa, have been married for over 52 years and are blessed with three children and three grandchildren. His heart for people, dedication to God’s Word, and rich educational and ministry background make West Highland Baptist a welcoming place for families and individuals seeking a Christ-centered church home in the Bessemer area.
Pastor Mike Bell
Pastor’s Wife
Theresa Bell
Theresa serves alongside her husband, Mike, as a cornerstone of our church family, bringing grace, compassion, and servant leadership to our congregation. With her warm smile and open heart, Theresa has become a beloved figure who exemplifies the love of Christ in both word and action. Theresa is actively involved in various ministries throughout our church, including singing, hospitality and prayer. She has a special gift for utilizing her particular strengths, including suggesting, encouragement, organizing, and teaching, and consistently demonstrates a heart for serving others and building meaningful relationships within our church community. Known for her personal qualities, wisdom, kindness, listening ear, etc. When not serving in ministry, Theresa enjoys personal interests/hobbies and cherishes time spent with family. Her faithful partnership in ministry and dedication to our church family reflects her deep love for God and His people.
Adult Sunday School Teacher
Cory Nelson
Cory is our Adult Sunday School Teacher. He is deeply dedicated to his service to the Lord and the Church. He is a family man and is tremendously dedicated to his wife, children, and grandchildren. He enjoys teaching and learning from his teaching.
Cory Nelson has been a dedicated leader in our adult Sunday school ministry for 3 years at West Highland Baptist Church and is a devoted family man.
Cory brings both his passion for God’s Word and his heart for biblical living to our adult learning community. He creates a welcoming environment where adults can explore God’s truth together, ask meaningful questions, and grow in their faith journey. His teaching style encourages open discussion and practical Bible study, always focusing on how God’s Word speaks to the challenges and joys we face in our families and communities.
Cory is known for his genuine care for class members and his ability to make biblical principles relevant to everyday situations. Cory and his family are active members of West Highland Baptist Church, where his commitment to discipleship extends beyond the classroom into the broader church community.
Our Audio/Visual Technician
Brad Bell
Brad plays a vital role in supporting our worship services and church events by ensuring high-quality sound, lighting, and visual presentations.
Brad has both Bachelor's & Master's Degrees in Technical expertise and a heart for ministry, as he helps create an environment where people can connect with God and each other during worship services.
Church Secretary
Lisa Nelson
Lisa Nelson serves as our dedicated Church Secretary, bringing warmth, organization, and a heart for ministry to her role. With her welcoming demeanor and attention to detail, Lisa ensures that our church operations run smoothly while creating a friendly first impression for visitors and members alike.
As the central point of contact for our congregation, Lisa assists in correspondence, coordinating schedules, maintains membership records, and provides administrative support to our pastoral staff. Her commitment to excellence and genuine care for people make her an invaluable part of our church family.
Lisa’s passion for serving others and her organizational skills help create an environment where both staff and congregation members feel supported and connected. Whether you’re calling with questions, need assistance with church programs, or simply want to chat, Lisa is always ready to help with a smile.
Children’s
Sunday School Teacher
Linda Nelson
Linda Nelson brings warmth, creativity, and a heart for children’s ministry to our Sunday School program. With her engaging teaching style and genuine love for young learners, Linda creates a welcoming environment where children can explore their faith, ask questions, and grow in their understanding of God’s love.
Linda has been serving in children’s ministry for more than a few years she believes that every child is a gift from God and strives to make Bible stories come alive through interactive lessons, crafts, songs, and age-appropriate activities that help children connect with scripture in meaningful ways.
Administrative Assistances
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Senior Deacon
Johnny Nelson
Bro. Johnny Nelson has been a faithful servant and dedicated member of West Highland Baptist Church for several years. His commitment to Christ and passion for serving the church family have made him an vital leader in our congregation. Johnny Nelson is an ordained deacon and serves in various capacities within the church. His servant's heart and dedication to the Gospel continue to inspire our church community.
Johnny faithfully serves our church family through spiritual leadership, pastoral care, and dedicated service to various ministries. His heart for the church is evident in his consistent presence and willingness to serve wherever needed.
Tributary Deacon
Ed Rainley
Bro. Ed Rainley serves West Highland Baptist Church with faithful dedication as our Tributary Deacon. His steadfast commitment to serving the Lord and His church has been a blessing to our congregation.
Ed Rainley is not an ordained deacon, but a Tributary Channel. His ministry is characterized by support, compassion, and a genuine love for people. He seeks to glorify God through servant leadership and to encourage believers in their walk with Christ. His heart for the church is evident in his consistent presence and willingness to serve wherever needed.