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Commissioner Israel Gaither |
“It is with pleasure that I have commissioned the writing of the biography of our Chief of Staff and USA Eastern officer, Commissioner Israel L. Gaither,” announced Eastern Territorial Commander Com-missioner Lawrence Moretz.
He added, “His story will profile a fellow leader whose vision and mission focus has impacted the world for God and the Army. As territorial commander of the USA Eastern Territory, I await this volume for one of the Great Hearts of The Salvation Army, whom I call a brother.”
A “favorite son” of the USA Eastern Territory, Gaither has become a legend in his time, for his powerful preaching, leading of prayer meetings, vocal solos, passion for evangelism, administrative leadership, and genuine interest in people.
Colonel Henry Gariepy has been selected to write the biography, to be concluded by the fall of 2006. General John Larsson has agreed to write the foreword, and daughter Michele Gaither Sparks will contribute the introduction.
Gaither rose through the ranks in the USA Eastern Territory as corps officer, divisional youth secretary, divisional commander, personnel secretary, and chief secretary. In 1999 he was appointed Southern Africa territorial commander and returned to his home territory in August 2002 as territorial commander. In November 2002 he was appointed Chief of the Staff at International Headquarters, second to the General in leadership of the worldwide movement. In the last two High Councils he was a nominee for the office of the General.
On May 8, 2005 he will have conferred upon him an honorary doctorate from Asbury College. His life partner, Eva, has shared in each of their appointments and will be a vital part of his life story.
“I believe Commissioner Israel Gaither is one of the most extraordinary leaders in The Salvation Army today,” states Eastern Chief Secretary Colonel James Knaggs. “His dynamic capacity as a communicator and servant of God witnesses affirmatively to our generation. He has abundantly passed the tests of global leadership and does so as the highest-ranking African-American officer in Salvation Army history. He epitomizes servant leadership throughout the ranks. This is the Commissioner Israel Gaither that everyone needs to meet, and will meet, through the pages of this much anticipated biography by the foremost Salvation Army historian in print today.”
Gariepy was formerly commissioned by International Headquarters as the historian for the writing of Volume 8 of Army history, and has written three biographies, including the authorized biography of General Eva Burrows. He has authored 24 books, several of them printed in multiple editions and translations.
Submissions are invited, including anecdotes, photos and items of possible interest, direct to Colonel Henry Gariepy at 447 Costa Mesa Dr., Toms River, NJ 08757, or by email: hmgariepy@comcast.net