Ray McCauley
Encyclopedia
Born Raynor McCauley
Ray McCauley is a prominent South Africa
n religious leader, Senior Pastor of Rhema Bible Church, President of International Federation of Christian Churches IFCC, author and former champion body builder.
on October 1, 1949, McCauley took a keen interest in bodybuilding. He was a former Mr South Africa and took part in the Mr. Universe
bodybuilding championships in London
in 1974 where he finished in 3rd place. Ray McCauley was also a night club bouncer for a time.
during 1978/1979.
On returning to South Africa after Bible College the McCauleys started Rhema Bible Church under Rhema Ministries SA in the home of his parents, Jimmy and Doreen in which 13 people attended. Membership grew and the church moved into the former Constantia Cinema in Rosebank, Johannesburg. Under the leadership of Ray and Lyndie McCauley, the church outstripped the size of its premises and it moved to a warehouse in Jan Smuts Avenue in Randburg before moving to its current premises. In 1985 the church moved into the newly constructed 5,000 seater auditorium in Randburg, Johannesburg which was dedicated on June 16, 1985 by Dr Kenneth E Hagin, the late founder of Rhema Ministries in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The auditorium was later upgraded to over 7 500 seats to accommodate the growth of the church. Today the church has a claimed 45,000 strong congregation and which is the single largest church congregation in Southern Africa.
Towards the end of the Apartheid era McCauley and his associates were involved in numerous critical events that helped with the peaceful transition to a democratic nation in 1994. During this time he interacted with leading churchmen like Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Reverend Frank Chikane.
McCauley is a well known speaker at church events around the world.
The location and building of the sanctuary at the corner of Rabie and Hans Schoeman streets in Randpark Ridge, Randburg also caused tremendous controversy with local residents vehemently objecting to the construction of the church.
McCauley's greatest controversy came with the divorce of his first wife Lyndie in 2000. According to the ministry, Lyndie McCauley instituted divorce proceedings, which the ministry believed had no biblical grounds for. The divorce caused a large portion of the then congregation to depart from the church. Shortly after the divorce, McCauley became romantically involved with a two time divorcee, Zelda Ireland, whom he married in July 2001.
It was announced in January 2010 that McCauley and Ireland had separated and that divorce proceedings had been instituted by Ireland.
Ray McCauley is and has been controversial with regards to his lifestyle, with many alleging that he lives a millionaire's lifestyle. McCauley has defended himself on numerous occasions in the press on this matter, with the argument that he only earns the salary of a chief executive of a medium sized company.
McCauley caused waves politically when he invited (the then unelected) president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma to speak at a Sunday morning meeting. This brought about accusations of political bias from McCauley, mostly from the opposition parties in South Africa.
McCauley has also been a strong opponent of gay rights.
Ray McCauley is a prominent South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n religious leader, Senior Pastor of Rhema Bible Church, President of International Federation of Christian Churches IFCC, author and former champion body builder.
Early life
Born in JohannesburgJohannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
on October 1, 1949, McCauley took a keen interest in bodybuilding. He was a former Mr South Africa and took part in the Mr. Universe
Universe Championships
The Universe Championships are an annual bodybuilding event organised by the National Amateur Bodybuilders Association . It has a number of competitions: NABBA Amateur Mr. Universe, Miss Figure, and Miss Toned Figure....
bodybuilding championships in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1974 where he finished in 3rd place. Ray McCauley was also a night club bouncer for a time.
Ministry
McCauley attended bible college with his former wife Lyndie at Rhema Bible Training Center in Tulsa, OklahomaTulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
during 1978/1979.
On returning to South Africa after Bible College the McCauleys started Rhema Bible Church under Rhema Ministries SA in the home of his parents, Jimmy and Doreen in which 13 people attended. Membership grew and the church moved into the former Constantia Cinema in Rosebank, Johannesburg. Under the leadership of Ray and Lyndie McCauley, the church outstripped the size of its premises and it moved to a warehouse in Jan Smuts Avenue in Randburg before moving to its current premises. In 1985 the church moved into the newly constructed 5,000 seater auditorium in Randburg, Johannesburg which was dedicated on June 16, 1985 by Dr Kenneth E Hagin, the late founder of Rhema Ministries in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The auditorium was later upgraded to over 7 500 seats to accommodate the growth of the church. Today the church has a claimed 45,000 strong congregation and which is the single largest church congregation in Southern Africa.
Towards the end of the Apartheid era McCauley and his associates were involved in numerous critical events that helped with the peaceful transition to a democratic nation in 1994. During this time he interacted with leading churchmen like Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Reverend Frank Chikane.
McCauley is a well known speaker at church events around the world.
Controversy
Ray McCauley has been a controversial figure in South Africa. Rhema has been accused in the press of being a proponent of the prosperity gospel. His opposition to apartheid also caused controversy, with the congregation being inter-racial, this contravening the apartheid laws of South Africa at the time.The location and building of the sanctuary at the corner of Rabie and Hans Schoeman streets in Randpark Ridge, Randburg also caused tremendous controversy with local residents vehemently objecting to the construction of the church.
McCauley's greatest controversy came with the divorce of his first wife Lyndie in 2000. According to the ministry, Lyndie McCauley instituted divorce proceedings, which the ministry believed had no biblical grounds for. The divorce caused a large portion of the then congregation to depart from the church. Shortly after the divorce, McCauley became romantically involved with a two time divorcee, Zelda Ireland, whom he married in July 2001.
It was announced in January 2010 that McCauley and Ireland had separated and that divorce proceedings had been instituted by Ireland.
Ray McCauley is and has been controversial with regards to his lifestyle, with many alleging that he lives a millionaire's lifestyle. McCauley has defended himself on numerous occasions in the press on this matter, with the argument that he only earns the salary of a chief executive of a medium sized company.
McCauley caused waves politically when he invited (the then unelected) president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma to speak at a Sunday morning meeting. This brought about accusations of political bias from McCauley, mostly from the opposition parties in South Africa.
McCauley has also been a strong opponent of gay rights.