Statement from the Christian Unity and Interfaith Ministry on the Passing of The Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell
With profound respect and deep gratitude, the Christian Unity and Interfaith Ministry mourns the passing of The Reverend Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, who entered into eternal rest on March 29, 2025, at the age of 93. The Disciples of Christ lost another giant in the ecumenical movement—one whose life was a remarkable testament to the Gospel’s call for justice, peace, and unity.
A trailblazer and bridge-builder, Dr. Campbell broke barriers as the first woman to serve in numerous key ecumenical and interfaith leadership roles—including as General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, and as Director of Religion at the Chautauqua Institution. Her ministry embodied a rare blend of prophetic courage, pastoral care, and unwavering dedication to Christian unity and interreligious collaboration.
Throughout her life, she answered the Spirit’s call to stand with those on the margins, to accompany communities in struggle, and to walk humbly yet boldly across divides. From the Civil Rights Movement to global peacemaking efforts, from pulpits to presidential delegations, Dr. Campbell’s voice and witness were unmistakable: full of grace, conviction, and hope.
She was not only a leader of movements, but a mentor to many—including those of us who continue the work of Christian unity and interfaith engagement. We give thanks for her vision, her friendship, and her unwavering commitment to the unity of the church and the healing of the world.
As we commend her soul to God’s eternal care, we rededicate ourselves to the work she so faithfully carried forward: that all may be one, and that justice might roll down like waters.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and all who were touched by her ministry.
May her memory be a blessing and her legacy a guide.
April 4, 2025
To learn more about her remarkable life, please visit her full obituary here: https://www.brown-forward.com/obituaries/joan-campbell