Pastor Ray McCauley’s funeral: ‘You took your last breath while I was praying for you’ [VIDEO]

Mourners gathered at the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg, Johannesburg on Saturday to pay their last respects to founder and church leader Pastor Ray McCauley.

McCauley died at his home last week, drawing heartfelt tributes from around the world.

He was remembered for his religious and humanitarian work, as well as his preaching of racial integration during the height of Apartheid.

‘I already miss you’

A message from McCauley’s wife, Zelda, was read at his funeral. In it, she described praying while he took his last breath.

“Ray, it is so surreal that you have gone home to be with the Lord. The house feels empty without you. You took your last breath while I was praying for you. I thought you went to sleep.

“I already miss you. Thank you for loving me.”

His daughter Hailey said her father “bridged gaps”.

“Leaders who were enemies would leave his presence agreeing to be at peace.”

She added that he “loved people”.

“He always said people are valuable and precious. He thoughtfully asked after my friends. He would pray for us. It did not matter who was sitting at the table, heads of government or dignitaries, he would always greet and introduce us. We always had a space at the table.”

Media personality and businesswoman Basetsana Kumalo said McCauley’s “love was consistent”.

“We do not cry because we fear death. We cry because we know how much we were loved and recognise the void left by that love. Endings are by divine design of life’s wonderful gift.”

‘A titan who died with his boot on’

Musician and pastor Kabelo Mabalane described McCauley as a “titan who died with his boots on”.

He said the last two years had not been easy for the pastor.

“I did not consider him according to the flesh. I did not see someone frail and ailing. I saw a giant. Until the end, he was a giant.

“Many people were concerned, and rightfully so, but he did not see me [in my time of need] according to the flesh and I did not see him according to the flesh. Everything that I am today is because of that man [McCauley].”

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Pastor Bert Pretorius said the church would continue to be a voice for the voiceless.

“We will passionately persist, as a church, to be a prophetic voice with fearlessness, confronting issues such as crime, corruption and social injustice.

“We will love our neighbour and work together to drive transformation and champion value-based ethical leadership at all levels, guided by compassion, justice and integrity. Last but not least, we will preach justice.”

Special Provincial Official Funeral

President Cyril Ramaphosa declared McCauley’s funeral a Special Provincial Official Funeral Category 2.

Special provincial funerals are divided into two categories and can be provided to an outstanding or distinguished person on request to the president by the premier of the province.

The State, Official and Provincial Official Funeral Policy manual of 2016 states at Category 2 ceremonies the national flag shall fly at half-mast at every flag station in the province, including the burial site or cremation facility, on the day of the burial or cremation until that evening.

Heaven’s gain

At a memorial service held earlier this week, McCauley was remembered for his commitment to reconciliation and against racism.

“The very white people that he tried to liberate from racism called him a betrayer, but he stayed true to the cause, and I want to celebrate that tonight.

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“It’s heaven’s gain, but it’s our loss,” Christian Revival Church founder, Pastor At Boshoff said.

Among those who sent video tributes were popular international religious figures American evangelical pastor Jentezen Franklin, American televangelist Dr Creflo Dollar, Singaporean evangelist Joseph Prince, and American pastor and motivational speaker TD Jakes.

His legacy lives on in the faith of believers

Ramaphosa had earlier conveyed “his deep condolences” to McCauley’s wife, his family and the Rhema Bible Church community.

“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. May his soul rest in peace.”

Additional reporting by Chulumanco Mahamba and Faizel Patel