News24 | Rhema church founder Ray McCauley dies at 75

Rhema church founder Ray McCauley. (Frennie Shivambu/Gallo Images)

• Rhema Bible Church founder Ray McCauley, 75, has died.
• McCauley has been described as an evangelical leader who had a far-reaching impact.
• He died at home on Monday night, surrounded by loved ones.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered his condolences to the family of Rhema Bible Church founder Ray McCauley.

The church said on Monday night that McCauley, 75, had died at home, surrounded by loved ones.

In a statement released on behalf of the family, senior Pastor Joshua McCauley said: "It is with deep sorrow and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Pastor Ray McCauley, founder of Rhema Bible Church, an evangelical leader. Pastor Ray has gone to be with the Lord peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family and loved ones at 18:46."

He had stepped back from his role as pastor but "remained fully committed to serving the body of Christ", the church said.

"His enduring legacy as a servant leader will continue to impact communities far beyond his lifetime."

President Cyril Ramaphosa sent condolences to McCauley's wife, Zelda, his children, his extended family and the Rhema Bible Church community .

President Ramaphosa said: "Pastor Ray's passing leaves our deeply spiritual nation bereft of a remarkable leader whose impressive legacy lives on in the faith of hundreds of thousands of believers within and beyond the Rhema community. May his soul rest in peace."

The South African National Christian Forum (SANCF) described McCauley as "an outstanding ecumenical leader".

"We thank God for Pastor Ray McCauley's life and witness during the past several decades. Pastor Ray McCauley was a prominent South African religious leader, former senior pastor of Rhema Bible Church, president of the International Federation of Christian Churches (IFCC), co-chair of the National Interfaith Council of South Africa (Nicsa), author and former champion bodybuilder," the SANCF said.

"Pastor Raymond's contributions and expertise in the field of Christianity have been widely acknowledged. As we mourn his passing away, the SANCF recognises and remembers his invaluable contributions to the body of Christ," it added. 

"He will be remembered as one of the great Christian leaders in the country," said the SANCF.

McCauley is considered to have played a key role in South Africa's transition to democracy.

During Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings, McCauley – then president of the International Federation of Christian Churches (IFCC) – urged white South Africans to confess that they had been manipulated by government propaganda.

He said many white charismatic and Pentecostal church followers had been "paralysed by a false respect for government authority" and "simply spectators to the horrible acts of abuse of humanity".