NEW CASTLE Salvation Army promotes couple

Israel Gaither III is the first black American to hold the post.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Growing up in New Castle, Israel Gaither III learned a great deal about spirituality and service.
His father, Israel Gaither II, was a minister at Union Baptist Church on Grant Street and later founder, with his wife, Lillian, of The House of Prayers Ministry on Sampson Street.
"My mother and father had a marvelous impact on my views of what it meant to be a Christian in the world as a young person," he said.
Gaither is taking that foundation to London next month as he steps into the No. 2 post for the International Salvation Army. He will serve as chief of the staff under Gen. John Larrson.
Gaither, 58, is the first black to hold the post, which has been held by only 21 people since 1865. He starts his new position Nov. 13.
Gaither said the appointment was a surprise.
He and wife, Eva, a native of Sidney, Ohio, about 40 miles north of Dayton, returned to the United States in August to serve as regional commanders for the SA's Eastern District. They had spent the three previous years serving as commanders in southern Africa.
"We had assumed we would be here for a few years," he said.
Duties
Both received commissions after Larrson's recent election as general. Eva Gaither will serve as world secretary to the Salvation Army's women's ministries and assist Larrson's wife in her duties as world president of women's ministries for the Salvation Army.
Gaither said his work will entail handling the day-to-day operations of the international organization, which spans 108 countries.
Gaither said his goals at the international level are to keep the Salvation Army true to its mission of spirituality and service and to work on making the territorial leaders -- those who are in charge of Salvation Army operations in various countries or regions -- strong leaders.
"I believe very strongly the Salvation Army is a gift to the world, a unique agent for Christ in the world to continue the mission of Christ when he was in the world," he said.
Gaither said it was that mission, helping as well as preaching, that attracted him to the SA as a young man in New Castle. He was first exposed to it on trips to Camp Allegheny near Ellwood City.
Later, he started attending SA religious services, as well as continuing to attend his father's services.
When he finally decided his calling was with the Salvation Army, the elder Gaither understood.
"When I told my father I felt called to the ministry of the Salvation Army, he said to me 'Son, I know it.' I believe the spirit of God showed him or made him sensitive to that as he watched me in my relationship with the Salvation Army," Gaither continued.
His father later became a member of the local SA advisory counsel.
Praise of sister
Gaither's sister, Jacqueline Respress, principal of Ben Franklin Junior High School in New Castle, said she always knew her brother would reach the highest ranks of whatever he chose to do.
"He's quite gifted. He's a great singer, an exceptional orator and he's extremely gifted in the area of administration," she said.
She agreed that their father's influence contributed greatly to her brother's success.
"My father was a sound fundamentalist and he believed in the spirituality he taught us. He instilled that into our lives and each one of us pursued our own particular goals. It was his strength and leadership that gave us the inspiration to do it," she added.
Respress, whose husband, Torrance, is now pastor of the church her father founded, said family members are sorry to see Israel and Eva leave the United States so soon but look forward to visiting them in London.
Israel and Eva Gaither have two adult children, Mark Gaither of Sewickley, Pa., and Michele Sparks of Kentucky, and a grandchild, Isaiah Sparks, 4.