Rhema Bible Church pastor Ray McCauley has died

The Rhema Bible Church has announced the death of its founder, pastor Ray McCauley.

“Pastor Ray has gone to be with the Lord peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family and loved ones,” his son and the church’s senior pastor Joshua McCauley said. His death was recorded at 6.46pm on Tuesday.

“The family appreciate your prayers and support during this difficult time,” the statement read.

At 75, McCauley had stepped back from active church duties. The church paid tribute to him as “a servant leader who will continue to impact communities far beyond his lifetime”.

He was a popular evangelist-style preacher who had been a bodybuilder and owner of a group of gymnasiums before turning to religion.

The Rhema Bible Church was founded in Randburg in 1979. In May 2022, McCauley handed the reins of the organisation to his son and Joshua’s wife Tara.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is leading tributes to McCauley after the news of his death. He extended his condolences to McCauley’s wife Zelda, his children, “extended family and the large community of the Rhema Bible Church. 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.”

McCauley was a popular evangelist-style preacher who defied apartheid rules by promoting nonracialism within its halls. This was acknowledged by populist philanthropist BI Phakathi, who said: “He was a leader who brought all races together, a visionary and a father of our generation.”

Advocate Thuli Madonsela said she would always remember the seasoned theologian “as a person who pioneered inclusive worship long before others did, and a leader who stood resolute on matters of integrity in state affairs, supporting the public protector without equivocation”.

Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi lamented the falling of a “big tree” and assured the family of his support. 

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