E-mail a friendIsrael Gaither
airdate May 19, 2006
Israel Gaither is the first African American National Commander in Salvation Army history. In his service with the organization, he's earned several other African American 'firsts,' including being the first to serve as Chief of Staff, the first appointed to a position outside of the U.S. and the first to become a divisional commander. A Pennsylvania native and ordained minister, Gaither has traveled to more than 30 countries, including Africa and England, providing support and guidance to the Army's leaders.
Israel Gaither
Tavis: Last week, Israel Gaither was sworn in as the new National Commander of the Salvation Army. He is the first African American to lead the respected social services group in its more than 125-year history. Commissioner Gaither has been with the Salvation Army since 1964, most recently serving as Commander for Southern Africa. He joins us tonight from Washington. Commissioner Gaither, congratulations. Nice to have you on the program.
Israel Gaither: Thank you. It's a pleasure to be with you, Tavis.
Tavis: So what does it mean to be the top dog at the Salvation Army? What do you do every day?
Gaither: Well, I want to tell you, it's a very humbling experience. It's a gift and we come to it with the belief that the Salvation Army is accountable to the public and we want to just lead the Salvation Army, work with our partner leaders, our executive leaders around the country, toward really producing a Salvation Army that is accountable, that's doing what we are meant to do, born to do, and doing what we say we will do.
Tavis: What is the Salvation meant to do these days? Has the mission changed at all after nearly 126 years?
Gaither: Well, we want to keep on message, you know. It's important that people understand that we are a religious and social agency, an organization. We're a church, but also involved in helping people in a practical way to come out of poverty, address issues that affect their lives, and that's the foundation.
We're really fixed in biblical principles. We'll stick hard on those kinds of things. In some ways, I guess, we can be seen as being very traditional, but we're also very up to date in terms of the way we approach our services and really embrace people of all races, creeds and color.
Tavis: What does it mean these days, 126 years later, in this place called America with the debate about religious institutions? What does it mean to be an organization these days that is unapologetically biblically based?
Gaither: Well, we have those, of course, who take a different view of us, but we're determined to do what we are supposed to do and be what we were born to be. We're not going to give that up, and it works. There are Americans around the world as well as here in the United States who have been helped, touched, changed, transformed by the Salvation Army's presence in their lives and circumstances.
We think the thing that's different about the Salvation Army, of course, is that this is powered by God. And with our religious basis, that's fundamental to all we do. We're fixed in that. That makes us different. Also, because we have the social and religious elements, we're kind of like a butterfly with two wings and we want to make certain that neither one of those wings is broken. It'll cripple our mission.
It's on one body, the Salvation Army, dealing with the practical needs of mankind as well as their spiritual needs. That's the difference. We also find that we kind of span the gulf. You know, we can go where others perhaps can't go and that's a very special gift that we have to America.
Tavis: What does it mean that the head of the Salvation Army happens to be an African American male? Does it mean anything?
Gaither: Well, I think to some people probably, Tavis, it does mean a great deal. I want to just make it very clear that I'm proud to be an African American. I've come from a rich Christian background. My father, a Baptist minister. I was called by God to be Salvation Army officer. I'm proud of that.
I'm also gifted to be in this leadership position. America needs to understand that I'm not here because I'm an African American. I'm here and have been appointed by the World Leader of the Salvation Army because it is believed that I can bring some gifts and skills and abilities to this task. I also have a global view of the Salvation Army which we think will be helpful in giving leadership in our present responsibilities.
So it's not about my being an African American. I want to make it very clear about that. I wouldn't be here if that were the case. It's not window dressing. I'm here because I can bring something to this task and I thank God for the privilege of being able to serve. It's about servant leadership. That's what we believe in and we're here not to - well, we lead by influence. That's what leadership is about.
Now I understand also that there are people who will look to me as a model. I want to be a good steward of that responsibility. I really want to be a good model not only to Black young people, but Hispanics and whites as well. I hope that they see in me someone they can trust and perhaps model their lives after. Again, this is just a privileged position. It's a gift of God and I thank Him for the privilege of being able to serve in this manner.
Tavis: What is the message that you find yourself delivering these days specifically about the importance of philanthropy in our lives?
Gaither: Well, I'll tell you, we couldn't do what we do without tremendous support from the public. We have donors that span the economic scales and we thank God for them and we want to be true to them. We have donors who give us very, very large gifts. Most of our donors are the common pedestrian, people just like you and me, who give. They may not think it's very much, but it goes a long, long way.
America is wonderful. We've seen the world and we've been in countries where philanthropy, giving on behalf of others, just doesn't happen. It's not in their culture. But in America, it happens, and they rise to the occasion. We've seen it in the Salvation Army over our 125-plus years of service. We want to make certain that the public understands that we intend to be accountable and to use that money to be good stewards of it. We regard it as a gift, Tavis.
Tavis: A lot of people looked to the Salvation Army after Hurricane Katrina last year. As you know, hurricane season, as we speak, is upon us. You all ready this year?
Gaither: Well, you know, we have learned a lot and we're ready. We know it's going to happen. It's just a matter of when and we're going to do our best to respond even better than we have before. Katrina caught a lot of us off-guard. It was something this country has never experienced. But we're also looking ahead. We've learned some lessons, as other agencies and agents have, and we're applying those in terms of the volunteers that we're training up.
We've also just announced last week a long-term recovery plan for Louisiana and Mississippi. $155 million dollars that the public has given to us is committed to that effort, so we're in there for the long haul. I might say, also, that, in these communities, we were there before Katrina hit and we're going to be there and continuing the process of rebuilding the lives of people.
Tavis: Finally, what a wonderful given name you have to do the kind of work that you do: Israel.
Gaither: (Laughter) Well, I'm the third, you know, Tavis. I've been named after my father and grandfather and I carry that name with a lot of pride. You'd understand that.
Tavis: Indeed.
Gaither: I might say that I've got a grandson who carries my middle name, Matthew Israel, so that makes me proud as well. I want to live up to what God has entrusted to me and thank you for this opportunity of being able just to share with you and your audience about who I am and what the Salvation Army is meant to be.
Tavis: I'm delighted to have you on. I know you are there because you are qualified, first and foremost, but I say unapologetically that we are proud that you happen to be a person of color and African American, no less. So congratulations. All the best to you. We're glad to have you on the program.
Gaither: Thank you very much.
Tavis: Up next on this program, former talk show host turned entertainment mogul. Maybe I can get some tips from Merv Griffin. Stay with us.
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