JOHANNESBURG - Founder of the Rhema Bible Church, Pastor Ray McCauley, has died aged 75.
His family confirmed in a statement that he passed on peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones.
McCauley founded what would become one of South Africa's most influential churches in 1979.
It gained more prominence during Jacob Zuma's presidency when McCauley founded the National Interfaith Leadership Council, which was dubbed Zuma's "God Squad" because of its close relations with him.
At the time of his death, he had stepped down from the church leadership because of ill health.
He handed the position of senior pastor to his son, Pastor Joshua McCauley, in 2022.
McCauley also served as President of the International Federation of Christian Churches.
Before his church commitments, the US-trained pastor was also a champion bodybuilder, a former Mr South Africa, a Mr Universe top three finalist and an author.