The Revd Dr John L. Bell is a member of the Iona Community, an ordained minister and a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio 4's 'Thought for the Day'. Over many years, he has consistently been one of the biggest draws at the Greenbelt Festival, and his work as a teacher and speaker takes him frequently into Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and North America.

In 2018 he received from Justin Welby The Thomas Cranmer Award for Worship, for his outstanding Christian witness, through hymn-writing, broadcasting and social action.