Former world leader of The Salvation Army promoted to glory
General Paul Rader (Rtd), The Salvation Army’s 15th beloved international leader, was promoted to glory on 18 January 2025, aged 90.
General Rader was the international leader of The Salvation Army from 1994 to 1999.
He also served as Chief Secretary in Korea Territory (1977–84) and USA Eastern Territory (1989), as Territorial Commander in USA Western Territory (1989–94) and as President of Asbury University in Kentucky, USA (2000–06).
“On behalf of the Australia Territory, we express our deepest condolences to the Rader family during this time and offer our prayers,” said Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas.
“General Paul Rader had a tremendous influence around the world through his dynamic ministry and visionary leadership. His preaching, his teaching and his dedication to outstanding Salvationism will be remembered.”
General Lyndon Buckingham, the current international leader of The Salvation Army, also paid tribute.
“General Paul Rader was a devoted servant and leader. I salute his unwavering commitment to his calling, his unrelenting vision for the growth of The Salvation Army and the sharing of the gospel to the furthest reaches of the globe.”
The Chief of the Staff Commissioner Edward Hill added: “General Paul Rader was a dynamic and engaging leader who inspired me and countless other officers of my generation. I thank God for the power of his preaching and teaching.”
More details will follow, but we ask the global Salvation Army family to hold Commissioner Kay Rader and the family in their prayers at this time.
An educated leader
The following bio on General Paul Rader appeared on the Asbury University website in 2012:
Elected to the highest office of The Salvation Army as worldwide leader on 23 July 1994, General Paul A. Rader is the first American-born officer to have commanded the international movement.
General Rader was born in New York in 1934 and spent his undergraduate years at Asbury College, then pursued studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, graduating with BA, BD and M Th. degrees.
Later he earned a Doctor of Missiology degree from Fuller Theological Seminary School of World Mission in Pasadena, California.
At Asbury, he met and married his wife, Kay, a Georgian from a Methodist family. Upon graduating with a BA degree from Asbury College, she taught public school. Following training at The Salvation Army School for Officer Training in New York, the Raders were commissioned as officers and appointed to Korea, where they served as missionary officers for the next 22 years.
Both became proficient in the Korean language, completing studies at Yonsei University Korean Language Institute. During their service in Korea, they were engaged in the training of Salvation Army officers, evangelism, education and administration.
After a number of administrative appointments in the USA he and Commissioner Rader were appointed territorial leaders in the USA Western Territory where they mounted an aggressive MISSION 2000 growth initiative. From this command, Commissioner Rader was elected General in 1994, based at International Headquarters in London, England.
As the international leaders of The Salvation Army, they travelled widely, inspiring commitment to the Army’s mission to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human need in his name.
General Rader and Commissioner Rader retired as international leaders of The Salvation Army in July 1999 and made their home in Lexington, Kentucky. Soon after their return, Dr. Rader was elected to the presidency of Asbury College. Dr. Rader served as president of Asbury College from 2000 to 2006 when he again retired.
The Raders have together received honorary doctorates from Asbury College (D.D.), Asbury Theological Seminary (D.D.), Greenville College (L.H.D.) and Roberts Wesleyan College (D.D.). President Kim Dae-jung of the Republic of Korea awarded General Rader the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, Gwanghwa medal in 1998, ‘for distinguished service in the field of mission to the Republic of Korea and the world.’
Since retirement, the Raders maintained a keen interest in mission to North Korea (DPRK), Dr. Kay Rader serving on the board of Christian Friends of Korea (DPRK). The Raders have visited North Korea in this connection in 2005, 2007 and 2011. General Rader serves on the board of pure HOPE (formerly the National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families} and Commissioner Rader, on the board of the Religious Alliance Against Pornography.
The Raders have three married children: Edith Jeanne, James Paul and Jennifer Kay, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Their story is told in If Two Shall Agree, authored by Carroll Hunt Rader, and published by Beacon Hill.
In 2015, General Paul and Commissioner Kay Rader published a book entitled To Seize This Day of Salvation.
The book’s bio on the International Headquarters website states: World leaders of The Salvation Army are accorded a wide variety of venues and circumstances within which to cast the vision God has given. As the Army's international leaders, General Paul Rader and Commissioner Kay Rader travelled widely, inspiring commitment to its mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human need in his name.
Here are presentations prepared to inform and inspire to action. Their value lies in their diversity and consistency, for they explore vital themes that lie at the heart of The Salvation Army's vision and mission. The issues addressed are not only perennial. They are urgently relevant to ‘this Day of Salvation’.
The book is available here
