On the Hunt for the Soul of America

by Kat Donnell

National Commander of The Salvation Army, Israel Gaither is a man dedicated to his faith, his family and his calling. He is a man whose solid foundation kept his feet firmly planted while giving him the wings to soar.

Israel Gaither was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, in 1944, to a family modest in means, but rich in strong Christian values, principles, and moral character. His father and grandfather were Baptist ministers, and it was clear at an early age to this eldest child of five that his name stood for many things, including personal responsibility.

Neighbors who were Salvationists introduced Gaither to The Salvation Army. One of the family’s children invited him to attend the Army’s youth activities. After attending the Corps Cadet Bible study program and attending a Salvation Army camp, Gaither’s involvement grew. Eventually, as he felt his calling, he made the painful decision to leave the Baptist Church of his youth to become a Salvation Army member in the New Castle congregation.

Gaither embraced his calling and grew within The Salvation Army ranks. He graduated from the Army’s School for Officers Training in 1964. His future wife, Eva Shue, graduated at the same time, and shared Israel’s dreams for the future. Ordained as ministers and commissioned as Salvation Army officers, they married soon after graduation, becoming the first mixed-race couple of American Army officers.

Israel and Eva Gaither have served the Army for over 40 years, and their work has impacted 111 countries, most significantly Africa, England, and the United States.

The list of accomplishments is long and every level of achievement seems to be punctuated with the words, “the first”. Commissioner Gaither is the first African American National Commander in The Salvation Army. Other firsts as an African American include the first named to an executive leadership position, the first appointed to a position outside the U.S., the first to become a Divisional Youth Leader and Divisional Commander, and the first Territory Commander. He was also the first African American to serve as Chief of the Staff, reporting only to the General of The Salvation Army worldwide.

As national leader of The Salvation Army, Gaither leads an organization of 3600 officers, 60,000 employees, and 114,000 members who work with 3.5 million volunteers helping over 30 million people a year. The basic principles of the Army have remained in place since their inception, but new programs have been added. The Salvation Army now reaches out to communities to offer disaster relief services, day care centers, summer camps, holiday assistance, services for the aging, AIDS education, medical facilities, shelters for battered women and children, family and career counseling, vocational training, correction services, and substance abuse rehabilitation.

“Moving around the country on behalf of this organization has been an affirming yet sobering experience. I have worked with a huge number of volunteers, officers, employees, and members to change the world, one life at a time. I have seen the generosity of those who support us financially and enable us to make enormous impacts on the lives of those in the community – the ones that help us end the nightmare of so many who have fallen through the social nets. The Army empowers people to believe in themselves, to make the resources work, and to find success through finding their passion. The center point of one’s life is spirit.”

“It is up to history to judge what I do and have done. I would want people to believe that my leadership enhanced The Salvation Army to be even more effective as we work on behalf of those living on the fringe of society; that I helped influence a movement that would return America back to its spiritual roots in this day of secular environment.”

A man who would like to permanently change the “me” generation to a “we” generation. A man who is on the hunt for the soul of America. This is Commissioner Israel Gaither, National Commander of The Salvation Army.