Pastor Leslie Tolbert went home to be with the Lord on May 17, 2026. He was born on August 11, 1950, in Topeka, Kansas to Herbert Theodore Tolbert and Mazella Maxine Clark.  Leslie grew up and went to school in Newton, Kansas.  He attended Bethel College.  He moved to Houston, Texas in January of 1975.  There he was discipled under Paster Charles Bennett for 14 years. He received his license as an ordained minister of the Gospel on April 26, 1987.  From there he went on to be appointed as pastor of Community Mennonite Church in August of 1989.  He also served as Elder of the African American Churches in Chicago, Illinois and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  On September 3, 2013, he was ordained Pastor and several years later to Bishop in the Congregational Bible Churches.  He loved to play his guitar and sing praises.  He met and married the love of his life, Barbara A. Tolbert on May 11, 2000.  A few years later they both became faithful members of New Hope Full Gospel Church. He was ordained as Pastor under the leadership of Bishop Michael G. Franklin.  Leslie preached the Gospel with the wisdom and the power of the Holy Spirit. He faithfully led and taught intercessory prayer.

Leslie was preceded in death by his parents, two sons: Jason Beard and Robert King.  He is survived by his wife, Barbara A. Tolbert; sons: Johnny (Chevell) Walker, Jonathan Tolbert, Charles Tolbert, Jeremiah Seymour, Joshua Seymour; daughters: Katherine (Roel) Cuellar, Jacinda Tolbert, Jayne Bonavan, Bebra Burns, and Dana Depler; 38 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren along with a host of family and friends who will miss him dearly.