Ruby Faye Durden

Elect Lady Ruby Faye Durden was born on August 26, 1936 to the late Mae Helen Jackson and Robert (Bob) Jackson in Waco, TX. She attended and graduated from Jefferson Moore High School in Waco, Texas. It was the year of 1951, where Elect Lady Durden met her high school sweetheart and husband-to-be, Albert Durden, Jr. In high school, Elect Lady Durden participated in several extracurricular activities, like being a majorette in the high school band. Her sweetheart played on the high school football team and later played for Paul Quinn College. They married in 1953. This union produced 11 children: six girls: (Linda Durden-Houston, Debra Wright, Judie Durden, Cynthia Durden-Lawson, Anita Durden-Johnson & Christy Durden-Johnson) five boys: (Derrell (Sharon) Durden, Albert (Charlotte) Durden Jr. III, Calvin Durden, Anthony (Dee) Durden & Larry (Trudy) Durden) and over 56 grand, great, and great-great grandchildren. Bishop Durden and Elect Lady Durden were married for 58 years, until the Lord called Bishop Durden to rest in 2007.

Looking back over her life, she has taken note that life’s experiences played an important role in influencing her ministry. Elect Lady Ruby Durden received the Baptism of Holy Ghost (according to Acts 2:4) at the age of 15. When she was called to the ministry, According to Elect Lady Durden, “He (the Lord) kept working in my head,” and the various life experiences, He enabled her to sanctify her husband (Bishop Albert Durden, Jr II), and her children by the Spirit, the Word, and Living the example of a saved sanctified wife and mother.

Elect Lady Durden attended Bible Way of Holiness Church in Houston, Texas under Bishop Manuel and Sister Anita Manuel where her “entire” family was Baptized in Jesus’ Name according to Acts 2:38. Elect Lady Durden worked with Sister Manuel in the tent revival ministry. She assisted with setting up tents, under which Sister Manuel conducted revivals. Time spent with Sister Manuel would prove to be much more than mere fellowship. Elect Lady Durden was actually being trained in the service of the Lord, while yoked with this older Saint.

Elect Lady Durden played the organ for the Bible Way of Holiness Church ministry. However, she did not have an interest in playing the organ. Instead, she played the piano. The Lord, Himself, wanted to teach her how to launch out in ministry. Elect Lady Durden preached her first message in San Antonio, Texas under the pastorate of Bishop and Sister Manuel. It was entitled “Standing on the Outside, Looking In,” from Genesis 7. Initially, Elect Lady Durden was shy in the ministry. However, she eventually became very bold in the Lord.

Bishop Albert Durden, Jr II and Elect Lady Durden membership would transition to The Free Churches of God in Christ in Jesus’ Name, Inc., under the leadership of the late founding father, Bishop Earl Evans of Dallas, Texas. In connection with the Free COGIC in Jesus’ Name, Inc., Bishop Albert Durden and Elect Lady Durden acquired the knowledge and acceptance of the Seventh Day Sabbath Observance according to Ex 20:8. Elect Lady Durden was very committed to upholding the Holy Commandments of God and she was diligent in teaching them to her children, as well as “Living” by examples to please God. She would use the statement illustrated by her late husband Bishop Albert Durden, Jr II, “If I can’t walk inside the Sanctuary on the Sabbath Day…just roll me in here in my wheel-chair!”

As a young woman, the Lord balanced Elect Lady Durden’s spiritual responsibilities with those of being a good mother. Ministry to her children was very important. The Lord gave her wisdom to raise and keep them out of trouble until they were grown. She was extremely devoted to her children, focusing most of her time on them while they were very young, as they needed her more than did her spiritual ministry. Additionally, Elect Lady Durden was always by Bishop Durden’s side, as he needed her to support him through everything he experienced as a preacher.

Elect Lady Durden worked in the ministry with her husband, Bishop Albert Durden, Jr. She played the piano for him while he ministered in the word. Under Bishop Durden’s ministry, Elect Lady Durden operated in several spiritual gifts. First, she served as a teacher and preacher of God’s word. Second, she served God and His people as a spiritual midwife, praying people through to deliverance. In addition, Elect Lady Durden was a musically gifted singer; a talent inherited from her father and passed down to her own children. While living in Midland, Texas, Elect Lady Durden started teaching piano and vocal lessons to her daughters.

While still young, her children formed a singing group called The Divine Spirituals. As the group matured, Elect Lady Durden passed the managerial baton to Jr., who changed the group name to The Durden Singers. Today, because of their mother’s training, The Durden Singers continue singing Zion’s songs to the Lord. It came as a great surprise that the Lord would choose her for this particular ministry.

Elect Lady Durden had many spiritual responsibilities in church building, but she also labored untiringly in painting, laying carpet, sewing curtains, cooking and serving in the church. She was no stranger to hard work. At times, she did not make it home until as late as 3:00 a.m. after having given long hours of service at the church.

It is very difficult to talk about Elect Lady Durden without talking about her late husband, Bishop Albert Durden, Jr. They were one, not only in marriage but also in ministry. In fact, she credits her husband’s ministry for much of the success she experienced in her own calling as a pastor’s wife and a co-pastor. Elect Lady Durden worked with the ministry of Deliverance Temple in Jesus’ Name in Austin, Texas. She co-founded this ministry with her husband in 1993, and she yet remained as Co-Pastor. She used her wisdom to train the ministerial staff and the members of this ministry.

She found comfort when reading her favorite Bible Chapters: Psalm 23, Psalm 91 and Psalm 27. God was very important in her life. He has been her everything! Jesus has taught her everything she knows about ministry to Him, her husband and to their children. The Lord has been a constant source of strength and comfort through trying times. Elect Lady Durden attributes noon day prayer, in times past, at Deliverance Temple in Jesus’ Name as a specific practice that helped her maintain a close relationship with God. The Saints joined her, and they had a beautiful time in the Lord.