Tributes are pouring in for the generally admired however debatable founding father of the Rhema Bible Church South Africa, Ray McCauley, who has died elderly 75.

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

President Ramaphosa prolonged his “deep condolences”, including that Pastor Ray’s dying “leaves our deeply spiritual nation bereft of a remarkable leader”.

The Rhema Bible Church has over 45,000 individuals and is thought of as one of the crucial influential church buildings in South Africa.

The South African Nationwide Christian Discussion board (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 stated.

Former Population Protector Thuli Madonsela additionally shared a heartfelt message, announcing he “stood resolute on matters of integrity in state affairs”.

“I can all the time take into account him as an individual who pioneered inclusive prayer lengthy sooner than 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 “greatest multiracial church buildings all over apartheid”.

During the Truth and Reconciliation talks, he confessed the shortcomings of white South Africans who “concealed at the back of their so-called spirituality pace endmost their optical to the cloudy occasions 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 ANC members on many controversial issues.

At the peak of his influence he was described as the “prime 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 Business Live.

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’s survived by way of his widow Zelda, son Joshua by way of his first spouse, and 3 grandchildren.