Retired General Paul Rader promoted to Glory

General Paul Rader (Rtd), The Salvation Army’s 15th beloved international leader, was promoted to Glory on 18 January 2025
General Paul Rader

General Paul Rader (Rtd), The Salvation Army’s 15th beloved international leader, was promoted to Glory on 18 January 2025.

General Paul 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).

General Rader’s dynamic ministry and visionary leadership had a tremendous influence around the world. He will be remembered for his preaching, teaching and sterling example of Salvationism.

General Lyndon Buckingham, the international leader of The Salvation Army, paid tribute, saying: ‘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.

IHQ Communications

IHQ Communications

Discover more

People gather as The Salvation Army relief truck arrives
Conflict
Emergency response

World Humanitarian Day 2025

The Salvation Army joins the global community in commemorating World Humanitarian Day 2025 (19 August) – a day to honour the courage, compassion and sacrifice of humanitarian workers around the world.

USA Southern Territorial Secretaries along with cadets and Bible Conference delegates, pray a blessing over the international leaders
USA Southern

International leaders encourage USA Southern Salvationists to be ‘Kingdom influencers’

General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham have encouraged and challenged delegates to the USA Southern Territory Bible Conference, held at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, from 3 to 9 August 2025.

Conversations with the General: young people

Salvation Army young people from around the world met with the General and Commissioner Bronwyn to share their hearts, ask questions and talk about their hopes for the future of The Salvation Army.

The international leaders sit around a coffee table with young Salvation Army members
Children and young people
The General

Salvation Army young leaders speak into Compass

Representative Salvation Army young people from around the world convened at Sunbury Court, United Kingdom, from 27 June to 3 July 2025 for the movement’s first such gathering to be held in 28 years.

Afforestation in Turkana

Turkana County – a remote region in Kenya with an arid landscape – is prone to conflict and insecurity, which is exacerbated by recurrent droughts and unpredictable rainfall. A Salvation Army project is seeking to improve access to water and

Members of a choir from Myanmar
Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand

Weekend of spiritual renewal and celebration in Singapore

Salvationists and community partners gathered to reflect on the enduring call to serve, celebrate milestones of faith and affirm the Army’s mission to bring Christ’s love to all.