People the world over look to the New Year with renewed hope. 

Whether it's vowing to lose weight or quitting smoking, there's something about a new year that inspires us to aspire and ignites a desire to replenish and recommit, to ourselves and others.

While he doesn't set "New Year resolutions," Commissioner Israel Gaither does enter the New Year with a strong, fresh commitment to and vision for his leadership tasks and privileges.

"I do not set ‘New Year resolutions'.  It takes more than just personal resolve to accomplish that which will advance my spiritual growth and the mission - it requires fresh rededication to God's purpose for my life," said Gaither. 

He is equally committed to adhering to God's will for The Salvation Army. 

"I enter the New Year with strong beliefs about the mission of the Army to America," he said.  "It's my ‘vision' for this movement."

In his five-fold vision, Gaither sees a stronger Army that remains true to its promise of "Doing the Most Good."

"We made a promise to America that we must keep...It's a spiritual covenant that embraces everything we do.  My ‘vision belief' is that we will become better at being God's holy people who serve as key participants in the summoning of America back to its spiritual roots.  Our 21st century calling requires that we be saved, sanctified, serving soldiers," said Gaither.

 "I have a vision belief for an even stronger, growing, advancing Army of ‘soldiers' with our first love - serving our Lord by serving others - as the consistent motivation that drives us  to ‘do the most good'."

But numbers without impact is ineffective, and Gaither's image of the Army in 2007 is that of a more profound, unified entity.   

"My vision is that this Army, with a presence and voice fixed true in biblical belief - and in our mission, history and purpose - will have a stronger influence and impact on issues of poverty and social justice in this nation," he said.

"I envision a clear ‘single voice' speaking to national issues that are challenging the reason for a Salvation Army in America."

With his certain faith and fervent beliefs that the Army is destined to accomplish even greater good in 2007, the National Commander is not unaware that there might be challenges to overcome.  Not discouraged, he accepts adversities as constant accompaniment to our organization's mission.  Chief among the potential obstacles, he notes, is "to ‘be' who we say we are - and ‘do' what we say we do.  A ‘Salvation Army' - a rescuing, transforming Army."

"I want those who receive our spiritual, emotional and material support to experience an Army of unusual compassion that serves on their behalf, for their good.  I want beneficiaries of our mission to understand that we exist not to maintain their condition - but our goal is their transformation," said Gaither. 

"Maintaining status quo is not an option for this Army that has been called to transform people and places.  May those we touch experience an awareness that God is on their side and can enable them to transition from where they ‘are' to what they can ‘become'.

"‘Being' always precedes ‘doing'," he said.

In spite of all of the things Commissioner Gaither foresees the Army being and doing this year, he reminds us that need still knows no season and that every member of the Army - from its officers and soldiers to employees and volunteers - must always carry in their hearts the mission of the Army and the spirit in which it was founded.

"Now is the time to take, to train, and release Salvationists for even deeper engagement in the mission," the National Commander said.  "Every Salvationist must truly become a ‘soldier' - and soldiers serve!"