Traveling Elder Reverend Barbara H. Tousand was the second of seven children born to the late Arthur James and Almyrtle Hayes. Her parents brought her as an infant to Reeves Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana to be baptized.
Reverend Tousand developed a love for Bible study and Christian Education early in life and has taken advantage of every opportunity to increase her knowledge. She plans workshops, facilitates study sessions, writes and produces programs and worship services, teaches youth and adult Bible classes, and paraphrases Scripture into skits for youth comprehension.
Reverend Tousand has faithfully attended Sunday school, Bible Study, Sunday School Conventions, District and Regional Conferences, Leadership Training Schools, Missionary Institutes, one Missionary Quadrennial Assembly, two Executive Boards, and workshops on all levels. She was blessed to be alternate delegate to the 28th General Conference which met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1974; delegate to the 31st General Conference which met in Birmingham, Alabama in 1986; and alternate delegate to the 32nd General Conference which met in Arlington, Texas. She also attended the first, fifth, seventh, ninth, thirteenth, and seventeenth Annual Convocations.
Reverend Tousand's ministries began at the age of twelve when she became Sunday school secretary and assistant teacher to the Nursery class. Through the years, she has served in many capacities. Her present and previous service areas include the following:Regional , & Local President of Christian EducationRegional & District & Local Director of Christian Education
Regional, District & Local Chairperson of Youth Ministries
District Missionary President
District & Local Missionary Vice President
Regional & District Missionary Secretary of Spiritual Life and Message
Regional, District & Local Secretary of Missionary Education
Regional & District Parliamentarian
Regional Missionary Treasurer
Sunday School Teacher
Sunday School Secretary
Bible Study Teacher for Senior Ministry
Class Leader
Stewardess Treasurer and Secretary
Reverend Tousand received a License to Exhort on October 27, 2003, preached her First Sermon on January 25, 2004, and received a Local Preacher's License on May 17, 2004. She was set apart and ordained for the office of Deacon in the South Louisiana Conference of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church on June 15, 2006 by the Right Reverend Thomas L. Hoyt, Junior at Reeves Temple CME Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana under the pastorate of the Reverend Dr. H. Leon Williams, Senior.
The Right Reverend Thomas L. Brown, Sr. assigned her Pastor of Cross Memorial CME Church in Oakdale, Louisiana on August 19, 2006 and served until June 20, 2007. At this time, she was appointed Patron Minister for the South Louisiana Missionary Society.On March 6, 2008, she was reassigned co-Pastor of Cross Memorial CME Church in Oakdale, Louisiana and Curry Chapel CME Church in Sulphur, Louisiana along with the Reverend Rodney Geyen.
Reverend Tousand has been called upon to deliver sermons and present topics at Women's Conferences on several occasions at sister churches and at several non-CME churches.
Ruby Francois is the fifth child of eight, born to Henry and Adile Francois who has gone home to be with the Lord.
Born in Port Arthur, Texas.
Received her education from Lincoln High School of Port Arthur, Texas, in the Class of 1966.
Attended Lamar University of Beaumont, Texas, Class of 1967-1970.
Became a born again Christian on September 17, 1979, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Attended College of Biblical Studies of Houston, Texas, Class of 2003.
Been working for the Lord in different capacities as a Servant for the Lord.
Member of Joy Prison Ministry since 1998.
Member of Stephen Ministry since 2005.
Member of Intercessory Prayer Ministry ongoing
Member of Allen Correctional Center Prison Ministry ongoing in Kinder, LA since June 2005
Moved from Texas and fell in LOVE with Reeves Temple as my Church Home. Joined October 2006. Took the Membership Training Sessions at Reeves Temple under the leadership of The Reverend Dr. H. Leon Williams Sr.
Attended the 113th Session of the South Louisiana Region Conference June, 2007 @ Trinity CME Church as an alternate delegate. Quadrennial Theme: "From Good To Great: The Jesus Challenge."
Studied and learned the Roots of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church under The Reverend Dr. H. Leon Williams Sr, Pastor of Reeves Temple and Presiding Elder of the Crowley District.
2008 Annual Conference held at Reeves Temple I served as a servant in the Kitchen.
Crowley District Hospitality Director.
Reeves Temple Sunday School Teacher and Greeting Committee President.
Licensed as an Exhorter in October 2008 and Licensed as a Local Preacher in May 2009 by The Reverend Dr. H. Leon Williams at Reeves Temple, LA in Lake Charles, LACivic Participation
