Dan Beller was born July 13, 1932 near Byars, OK to Clarence and Hollie (Loper) Beller. He graduated from Byars High School in 1949 as Valedictorian of his class. He attended East Central College in Ada, OK, for 2 years pursuing a major in Elementary Education and planning to be a schoolteacher. It was during this time that he was called to preach the Gospel and transferred to Southwestern Bible College in Oklahoma City to study for the Bachelor of Theology Degree. He was ordained as a minister in the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in July 1953.
While attending Southwestern Bible College he met Marie Gosnell, a student from Washington, OK, and they became friends. After dating several months, they were married in the fall of 1953. They lived in Oklahoma City where Marie worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and Dan continued studies for his degree. When he finished in 1954, they began traveling full time in the evangelistic ministry. The next 13 years were spent in a variety of educational and pastoral ministries. They pastored in South Coffeyville, OK for almost 3 years, where their daughter, Dana, was born. In 1959, Dan became Christian Education Director for the East Oklahoma Conference where he served for 7 years. During this time, he continued his studies at OBU in Shawnee, OK and ORU in Tulsa, OK. In 1965, the Bellers were appointed to plant a church in Pryor, OK and Dan commuted daily for studies at ORU in pursuit of the Master of Divinity Degree, which he received in 1968. On the same weekend, he received the Bachelor of Arts Degree from OBU.
In September 1967 Dan and Marie were appointed Pastors of Evangelistic Temple in Tulsa, OK where they served for over 34 years. Under their leadership, the church reached a membership of over 2000. A new sanctuary was built in 1974 and eventually 12 different properties were purchased for further expansion. A new family Life Center was built in 1982 with a gymnasium, commercial kitchen, dining hall, classrooms and offices and was expanded twice. The Evangelistic Temple School (K4-8th) was established in 1984. In the early 1970's the church began a weekly television program on KTUL Channel 8, which continued for 15 years. He also gave a short daily devotion on KCFO for many years.
In 1983, Dan received the Doctor of Ministry Degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, in Pasadena, CA. He also received an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from ORU.
The Bellers traveled extensively around the world and conducted over 20 tours to Israel which also included several other Middle East and European Countries. Dan also ministered in other countries including Korea, Canada, Argentina, London, England, Costa Rica, Chile, Hong Kong, and India. In 1979, he was one of the evening speakers at the World Pentecostal Convention in Vancouver, Canada. He preached many times in the Yoido Full Gospel Church of 800,000 members, pastored by Dr. David Yonggi Cho. He also served as a Board Member of Church Growth International, chaired by Dr. Cho.
Dan also served in several offices and on various boards through the years. He served 22 years on the National Education Board of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. He was Assistant Superintendent of New Horizons Ministries Conference for 4 years and served several terms on the East Oklahoma Conference Board. He served as Chairman of the Board of Regents for Southwestern Christian University for 13 years and was the Pastor Representative on the Executive Board of the IPHC for 4 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters and 2 nephews.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Marie, of the home; 1 daughter, Dana Acevedo and husband Luis, of Tulsa, OK; 2 granddaughters - Jessica Parker and husband Ryan of Yukon, OK and Natalie Owen and husband Roman of Denton, TX; 4 great-grandchildren - Aubrey and Tristan Parker of Yukon, OK, and Olivia and Amelia Owen of Denton, TX; 2 sisters - Donna Carter of Moore, OK and Gayle Anthony and husband Bryan of London, Ontario, Canada; brother-in-law Joe Gosnell and wife Mackley of Tulsa, OK; 2 nephews; 2 nieces and a number of cousins.
The family asks that memorial gifts be given to Southwestern Christian University, P.O. Box 340, Bethany, OK 73008.
Viewing will be Noon to 8PM, Thursday September 19th, 2019 at Moore's Southlawn Chapel. Funeral service will be 10AM, Friday, September 20th, 2019 at Spirit Life Church, 5345 South Peoria, Tulsa, OK. Moore Funeral Home - Southlawn Chapel 918-663-2233