Johannesburg – Tributes poured in Wednesday after influential South African pastor and founder of one of its biggest churches, Ray McCauley, died at the age of 75.
McCauley, a powerful orator who established the evangelist-style Rhema Bible Church in 1979, died at his home late Tuesday, the church announced.
South African commentators praised his role in promoting non-racialism under apartheid in defiance of its rules separating the races.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said McCauley was “a remarkable leader whose impressive legacy lives on in the faith of hundreds of thousands of believers within and beyond the Rhema community”.
[STATEMENT] President Cyril Ramaphosa mourns the passing of Pastor Ray McCauley.
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… pic.twitter.com/kHmiPkebGY
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) October 9, 2024
McCauley was believed to have close ties with former president Jacob Zuma, who was in power from 2009 to 2018, when he was removed in a corruption scandal.
In 2009, he founded the National Interfaith Leadership Council of South Africa which was dubbed the “Zuma God Squad” because of its links to the ex-president and the ruling African National Congress.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) joins South Africa in mourning the passing of Pastor Ray McCauley, the senior pastor and founder of Rhema Bible Church. Under his leadership, Rhema became one of the largest churches in South Africa, with a membership exceeding 50,000 people at… pic.twitter.com/WEo3Uil7O9
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) October 9, 2024
His work during the country’s transition to democracy in 1994 “helped bridge that gap in different communities” that were scarred and divided by white-minority rule, pastor Bert Pretorius told local broadcaster ENCA.
After stepping down as head pastor in 2022, McCauley appointed his son as the new church leader but still gave sermons until his last days.
An official tribute from Presiding Bishop Mosa Sono to Pastor Ray McCauley. #RIPPsRayMcCauley pic.twitter.com/cWjyb8Qg8i
— Mosa Sono (@BishopMosaSono) October 9, 2024
The first time I heard “Gone to be with the Lord” was from Ps Ray McCauley. Never imagined it would be for him. My heart aches, but I know he finished his race strong. Thank you, Ps Ray, for your guidance & love. My prayers are with Josh & the Rhema family. #RIPRayMcCauley 🕊️🤍 pic.twitter.com/mq5rbh2d5i
— Loyiso Bala (@loyisomusic) October 9, 2024
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Source: AFP
Picture: X/@TaffiDollar
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