Rev. Dr. Bella Winters, Pastor

Professional headshot of an African American woman with short, curly black hair, wearing a black blazer, gold necklace, and orange earrings, smiling against a blue background.

Rev. Dr. Winters is a Maryland native, born in Cecil County, Maryland. She was raised in the Conowingo and later, the North East, Maryland area. She began her education at Port Deposit Elementary and Conowingo Elementary schools. She attended Rising Sun High School and is a graduate of North East Senior High School. After High School, she enlisted in the United States Air Force and retired after 24 years of service. She began her civilian professional career in the Washington Metropolitan Area under the leadership of James Clapper (retired Director of National Intelligence). As her call and ministry were developing, she was ordained as an evangelist under the leadership of Bishop C. Anthony Muse at Gibbons United Methodist Church in Brandywine, Maryland, before moving to Missouri in 2000. Currently, she is attending Princeton University Seminary and is a graduate of Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, where she received a Master of Divinity. In addition, Rev. Dr. Bella Winters received a Bachelor of Business Science from the University of Maryland Global University, a Master of Business Administration from the George Washington University, a Fellow in Change Management from the Johns Hopkins University, and a Doctor of Management from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, with an emphasis on leadership development.

Rev. Dr. Winters was an Associate Minister and Interim Pastor at St. Matthew Baptist Church in East St. Louis, Illinois; a supply preacher for Epiphany United Church of Christ in St. Louis, Missouri, an Interim Associate Pastor for St. John United Church of Christ, consisting of over 700 members in St. Charles, Missouri. Rev. Dr. Winters is currently the Pastor of St. Mark’s United Church of Christ in the Hampstead/Snydersburg area. Rev. Dr. Winters came to St. Mark’s United Church of Christ in January of 2022 after the church had been without a pastor for over three years. Rev. Dr. Winters has been in ministry for approximately 35 years.

Rev. Dr. Winters is a former Vice President and former President of the Board of Directors of Back Bay Mission, which ministers to the unhoused located in Biloxi, MS. Rev. Dr. Winters was also a board member for the Emmaus House, a ministry located in St. Charles, Missouri, that helps adult mentally challenged individuals.

Rev. Dr. Winters is married to Rev. Rodney Winters, and they reside in Abingdon, Maryland. Rev. Dr. Winters has one son, Jamaal, who is also a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you have questions or comments, please call Rev. Dr. Winters at (314) 288-4360.