Dr. Gladys L. Campbell, Executive Secretary for Town and Country Ministries of the General Board of Global Ministries was honored for 25 years of service with the Board during the Fifth Consultation on Cooperative Parish Ministries in Irving, Texas, November 18-21, 1999, where the theme was "Congregations Living the Gospel: Working Together; Making Disciples; Shaping Communities."

Campbell was recently recognized in New York for reaching the 25 year mark as a staff member of GBGM, where colleagues heard her lauded by Dr. Randolph Nugent, General Secretary of Global Ministries, for her specific role of serving persons in small-town and rural communities and her overall commitment to mission work of the church. Further testimony of her accomplishments was heard by family, friends and associates at the Texas consultation.

Congratulatory messages came from across the country with praise for the number of persons she has empowered and the selfless and warm spirit in which Gladys carries out her responsibilities. Various participants stood to personally express appreciation for her leadership in networking with such groups as Rural Chaplain Association, United Methodist Rural Fellowship, jurisdictional Town and Country associations, regional rural centers, as well as coordinator of events for Cooperative Parish Ministries. She was described as a source of inspiration in the lives of many.

Among gifts presented the honoree was a $565.00 cash donation from friends and co- workers which Campbell passed on to Dr. Alexander (Sasha) Kominin, a Russian village physician and pastor in Kashari Village who started the first rural Russian United Methodist Church. The congregation is in process of raising funds to expand the church with living quarters for the pastor and space for educational outreach ministries with children and youth. Dr. Kominin added his thanks to the many expressions of gratitude that continue to come for the work and witness of Dr. Gladys Campbell.

November 24, 1999