For over 25 years, Elder Irving Tolbert, D.Div., has volunteered as Chairman of the Rites of Passage Ministry at Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood, CA, where Rev. Dr. John-Paul Foster is Pastor. In 2022, Dr. Tolbert was awarded an honorary doctorate from Bible Believers College in Los Angeles for serving the Lord 32 years as an elder and 25 years as Chairman of ROP.
Irving was drafted into the United States Navy during the Vietnam era, hence his love for the military. After his honorable discharge, he relocated from Kansas City to Los Angeles, where he attended California State University. In 2017, he retired from a banking industry career as a City National Bank Vice President. In addition to ROP, Irving’s retirement years are sprinkled with golf and family trips at every opportunity.
Irving is married to La Verne Tolbert, Ph.D., who has written/edited several books. La Verne’s tenure as a Christian Education Pastor and Assistant Professor at Biola’s Talbot School of Theology inspired her signature text, Teaching Like Jesus, after which she named her ministry. She joined West Angeles Church Of God In Christ under the leadership of Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake.
The couple resides in California and has two daughters, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. A second great-grandchild is on the way.