Founder of South Africa’s Rhema church dies aged 75

Tributes are pouring in for the widely admired but controversial founder of the Rhema Bible Church South Africa, Ray McCauley, who has died aged 75.

“Pastor Ray has gone to be with the Lord peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family and loved ones,” his son said in a statement.

President Cyril Ramaphosa extended his “deep condolences”, adding that Pastor Ray’s death “leaves our deeply spiritual nation bereft of a remarkable leader”.

The Rhema Bible Church has more than 45,000 members and is considered one of the most influential churches in South Africa.

The South African National Christian Forum (SANCF) paid tribute to Mr McCauley, calling him a “an outstanding ecumenical leader”.

“He will be remembered as one of the great Christian leaders in the country,” it said.

South Africa’s former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela also shared a heartfelt message, saying he “stood resolute on matters of integrity in state affairs”.

“I will always remember him as a person who pioneered inclusive worship long before others did,” she said in a statement on X.

Mr McCauley played a key role in the late years of apartheid and spoke out against the racist apartheid regime.

Ramaphosa described Rhema as one of the “largest multiracial churches during apartheid”.

During the Truth and Reconciliation talks, he confessed the shortcomings of white South Africans who “hid behind their so-called spirituality while closing their eyes to the dark events of the apartheid years”.

His church become a pillar of South African society and many high-profile figures like former President Jacob Zumba, members of parliament and sports stars attended services.

In 2009 Mr McCauley was accused of political bias as he allowed the then-unelected President Zuma to speak to his congregation.

He was a member of the National Interfaith Leaders Council (NILC), a body meant to advise on delivery of social services, and he publicly defended Zuma and African National Congress (ANC) members on many controversial issues.

At the peak of his influence he was described as the “high priest of South Africa”, according to the UK’s Independent news site.

But he was criticised for living like a millionaire and preaching the prosperity gospel.

In 2008, he earned about 68m rand ($3.8m; £2.9m), most of which came from tithes and offerings, according to South Africa’s Business Day paper.

He was also heavily criticised for divorcing his first wife Lyndie in 2000, as there were no biblical grounds. This divided his congregation and many people left the church.

Mr McCauley married his second wife Zelda Ireland shortly afterwards, in 2001.

Before he became a spiritual leader, Mr McCauley was a bodybuilder and owned gyms. He took part in the Mr Universe competition in 1974 and came in the top three.

Although he stepped back from active church duties at Rhema in 2022, he preached a sermon at the church a few weeks ago.

He is survived by his widow Zelda, son Joshua by his first wife, and three grandchildren.