Dr. Gail Harrelson is an ordained Elder serving in the United Methodist Texas Annual Conference. In 1976, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Practical Theology from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas and in 1978 she received a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Dr. Harrelson continued her education with an internship, from 1983 to 1984, at Memorial Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas focusing on Clinical Pastoral Education and in 1990 she earned a Doctor of Ministry at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois.

From 1984 to 1986, Dr. Harrelson served as associate pastor of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, and from 1986 to 1987 at First United Methodist in Pearland, Texas. She pastored at Asbury United Methodist Church in Tyler, Texas, from 1987-1990, at First United Methodist Church in Brazoria, Texas, from 1990 to 1994, at First United Methodist Church in Pittsburg, Texas, from 1994 to 1996, and at Glenbrook United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, from 1996 to 2001. Dr. Harrelson is currently serving at First United Methodist Church in Giddings, Texas.

Dr. Harrelson is the associate secretary of the Texas Annual Conference and a trustee of the United Methodist Foundation. She also serves as vice-chairperson of the Rules and Structure Committee and is a district representative for the Commission of the Status and Role of Women. In addition, she is a co-coordinator for The Confessing Movement in the Texas Annual Conference and has been elected as an alternate delegate for General Conference 2000.