Tributes are pouring in for the expansively esteemd but disputed set uper of the Rhema Bible Church South Africa, Ray McCauley, who has died aged 75.
“Pastor Ray has gone to be with the Lord peacebrimmingy at his home, surrounded by his family and adored ones,” his son shelp in a statement.
Pdwellnt Ramaphosa extfinished his “meaningful condolences”, inserting that Pastor Ray’s death “departs our meaningfully spiritual nation bereft of a extraunretagable directer”.
The Rhema Bible Church has over 45,000 members and is pondered one of the most ineloquential churches in South Africa.
The South African National Christian Forum (SANCF) phelp tribute to Mr McCauley, calling him a “an exceptional ecumenical directer”.
“He will be recalled as one of the fantastic Christian directers in the country,” it shelp.
Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela also splitd a heartfelt message, saying he “stood resolute on matters of integrity in state afuninentires”.
“I will always recall him as a person who innovateed inclusive worship lengthy before others did,” she shelp in a statement on X.
Mr McCauley carry outed a key role in the tardy years of apartheid and spoke out aobtainst the racially prejudiced apartheid regime.
Ramaphosa portrayd Rhema as one of the “bigst multiracial churches during apartheid”.
During the Truth and Reconciliation talks, he confessed the foolishinutivecomings of white South Africans who “hid behind their so-called spirituality while closing their eyes to the griefful events of the apartheid years”.
His church become a pillar of South African society and many high-profile figures appreciate establisher Pdwellnt Jacob Zumba, members of parliament and sports stars joined services.
In 2009 Mr McCauley was accparticipated of political bias as he allowed the then-unelected Pdwellnt Zuma to speak to his congregation.
He was a member of the National Interfaith Leaders Council (NILC) a body unbenevolentt to advise on dedwellry of social services, and he uncoverly deffinished Zuma and ANC members on many disputed publishs.
At the peak of his shape he was portrayd as the “high priest of South Africa” according to the UK’s Inreliant recents site.
But he was criticised for living appreciate a millionaire and paccomplishing the prosperity gospel.
In 2008, he geted about 68m rand ($3.8m; £2.9m), most of which came from tithes and adviseings, according to Business Live.
He was also heavily criticised for divorcing his first wife Lyndie in 2000, as there were no biblical grounds. This splitd his congregation and many people left the church.
Mr McCauley wed his second wife Zelda Ireland foolishinutively afterwards, in 2001.
Before he became a spiritual directer, Mr McCauley was a bodycreateer and owned gyms. He took part in the Mr Universe competition in 1974 and came in the top three.
Although he stepped back from dynamic church duties at Rhema in 2022, he paccomplished a sermon at the church a restricted weeks ago.
He is endured by his widow Zelda, son Joshua by his first wife, and three majesticchildren.
