Dennis & Frances Bellew
Missionary Emeritus
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1710 Perrowville Rd.
Forest, VA 24551
(434) 534-9559
Spiritual Birth and Call to Preach
Dennis Bellew was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1942. He accepted Christ at the age of 11 and 7 years later God called him to preach. Dennis attended Cedarville College and graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts. During his last year there, he married Frances Rusk on December 19, 1964. Frances, who was also born in Cincinnati, was saved at the age of 9.
Training and Call to Missions
God led Dennis and Frances to Tennessee Temple Theological Seminary in 1965. The years spent there while studying proved to be a great asset to later ministry. In 1968, Dennis graduated with a Masters of Religious Education and a Masters of Divinity. During the last year of his studies, while attending a chapel service where Dr. Tom Freeney spoke, Dennis felt God calling him to missions. His response was.. Yes!
Dennis and Frances were accepted as missionary candidates with BIMI in November 1967. Immediately upon graduating, plans were made to leave for the mission field. They arrived in St. Thomas, USVI in September of 1968 with their baby daughter, Denise.
Missions ministry in the West Indies
They served and worked as missionaries in the West Indies for over 30 years. St. Thomas, Bahamas, Trinidad, Monsterrat and the Cayman Islands became like home to this growing family during those 30 years. They were blessed with four more children Melinda, Kim, Todd and Jonathan. Jonathan Mark went to be with the Lord soon after birth. They have been married now for over 40 years and have 19 grandchildren.
Dennis served as missionary pastor in 7 different churches throughout the West Indies. He served as President of Bluewater Bible College for 21 years. His ministry throughout the islands included church planting, pastoring, teaching, radio broadcasting, training local workers and counseling as well as a lot of "hands on" work such as building and repairing. In 1989, Dennis received his Doctorate of Theology from Emmanuel Baptist Theological Seminary.
God has blessed, provided and protected through the years. Several major hurricanes damaged the Bellew's home and almost destroyed Bluewater Bible College. However, God worked out everything for the good. Dennis with the help of others, rebuilt the main buildings of the college and added others. The college facilities were upgraded substantially as a result of the hurricanes.
Missions ministry in New York City
In 2000, Dennis and Frances felt that God was leading them in a different direction. Bluewater Bible College obtained a qualified President who was born and raised in the islands. Knowing that Bluewater was in good hands, they left St. Thomas and took a much needed furlough. Within a year, God led Dennis to work in Brooklyn, New York. There he helped to establish International Bible College. Along with teaching and working at the college, he also was busy with church ministry. His ministry included preaching in various churches and developing a discipleship program at International Baptist Church. Both Dennis and Frances served and ministered daily in New York for almost 5 years. Many souls were saved and discipled during that time.
