| Israel L. Gaither 2008 Honoree |
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| Commissioner Israel L. Gaither considers it a privilege to be the first African American to lead The Salvation Army’s U.S. operations as the national commander. Yet, he counters notions that his race had anything to do with his 2006 appointment. "I’m not in this position because I am an African American," he says. "That would have been unacceptable. It’s primarily about who I am, and what I have been called by God to do." Gaither heads an Army of 3,661 officers, 112,513 soldiers, 422,543 members, 60,642 employees and 3.5 million volunteers. The ministry, which has 8,719 centers, serves some 31 million people each year. Outreach assistance includes disaster relief, shelters for the homeless, career counseling, substance abuse rehabilitation, daycare centers and services for elderly populations. |  |
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Along with wife (commissioner) Eva, he has traveled the world and led congregations in Aliquippa and Pittsburgh, Pa., and in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn, N.Y.
The son of a Baptist minister, Gaither was born in New Castle,
Pa. He discovered the Salvation Army while attending one of the denomination’s
youth programs.
Gaither’s calling to the ministry led him to the Army’s School
for Officers Training (for clergy), from which he graduated in 1964. Since
then, he has served the worldwide predominantly white, evangelical denomination
with distinction.
His ministry has had an impact on the Salvation Army’s work in 111 countries, particularly in Africa, where he served as the Army’s leader for Southern Africa; and in England with the International Headquarters in London, from which he served as chief of the staff, the second-in-command of the worldwide organization.
"Dare to dream!" |
Gaither, described as an effective administrator and gifted speaker, defines leadership as "serving others with integrity." His work allows him to observe that leadership in the 21st century is "not telling people what to do, but working in partnership with them." His travels have shown him a common link among mankind: "People want to be respected and valued as God’s creatures." Gaither’s "dare-to-dream" philosophy fuels his belief that the Salvation Army can continue to create positive changes.
In May 2005, Gaither received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Asbury College in Wilmore, Ky., and in 2006 the San Francisco Examiner named him as one of the Top Ten Communicators in America.
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