WILMORE, Ky., January 23, 2025 – Asbury Theological Seminary mourns the passing of General (Dr.) Paul Alexander Rader, who was promoted to glory on January 18, 2025, at the age of 90. He graduated from Asbury Seminary with a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1959. His wife, Commissioner Kay Rader, served on the Board of Trustees of Asbury Seminary from 1998 to 2003. Among his many achievements, he is remembered and honored for serving as the first American-born General of the Salvation Army from 1994 to 1999. Additionally, he served as the president of Asbury College (now University) from 2000 to 2006. At both of these institutions, he was known for serving with integrity and Christlikeness, leading both to further their respective goals in advancing the mission of Jesus Christ.

Dr. Rader was born in 1934 and raised in a Salvation Army family. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956 from Asbury College, where he met his wife, Kay Fuller Rader. He also earned a Master of Theology from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1961 and a Doctor of Missiology degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1973. 

After graduating from Asbury Seminary, he and Kay entered The Salvation Army School for Officer Training in New York in September 1960 and were commissioned a year later. They served as missionaries for 22 years in Korea, where they became fluent in Korean. Over time, Dr. Rader climbed the ranks of the Salvation Army until he was voted General in an unprecedented unanimous vote. During his tenure, he and Kay visited over 75 countries to greatly encourage the Salvation Army’s work worldwide.

“The Asbury Theological Seminary family, while grieving the loss of General Paul Rader to our earthly community, celebrates the life and legacy of his exemplary servant leadership,” says Dr. David J. Gyertson, Interim President of Asbury Theological Seminary. “As an alumnus, we are thankful for Dr. Rader’s faithfulness to the highest standards of redeeming love and cleansing power, serving the Lord’s calling with grace and joy. His thought leadership in areas of applied theology helped us understand the depths of our faith essentials. He consistently challenged us to put ‘feet and hands’ to our beliefs serving the most needy among us. Paul and Kay have been dear personal friends for three decades. They stood together as beautiful examples of the challenge to live with ‘hearts to God and hands to man.’ Our prayers are with the family as they celebrate the life of one of this generation’s most effective Christian leaders.”

Dr. Rader’s legacy is carried on by his wife of 68 years, Kay, and his children, Edie Moon, JP Rader, and Jennie Purvis, along with their spouses, his 8 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service celebrating the life of General (Dr.) Paul Alexander Rader will be held in Hughes Auditorium on the campus of Asbury University on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.