His megachurch collects tithes and offerings of around R70-million a year and he lives the life of a millionaire, but Pastor Ray McCauley needs his flock to bail him out financially
His son, Joshua, 26, has gone cap in hand to about 100 close friends and family to help get his dad, the leader of the Rhema Bible Church, out of debt.
Joshua’s impassioned plea was attached to an invitation to McCauley’s surprise 60th birthday party at the Sandton Convention Centre on Thursday night in “Old Hollywood” style.
“I would love nothing more than to help my father settle his existing debt and see him go into his 60s debt-free,” he wrote.
“As his son, I have felt it in my heart and now humbly request that, should you be considering giving him a gift for his 60th, you consider participating with me in this endeavour.”
McCauley and his wife, Zelda, recently announced that they would be moving back to Johannesburg, after several years of flying from Durban – where they lived in a R6.5-million beachfront mansion – to lead services at the 40000-strong Randburg congregation.
Depending on how the offerings went this week, this year’s gift is likely to be more substantial than the R2030 pair of Prada sunglasses Joshua bought for his dad in 2007. At the time, he billed the church for “Ps Ray’s birthday gift”.
In his quest to help his dad, Joshua described how “from a young boy”, he watched his father “do his utmost to walk the talk”.
“You may be aware of the challenges my family has faced, but no matter what the circumstances, I saw my dad be true to the convictions of his faith,” his letter read.
“As his son, it is my greatest wish to honour him with a gift that I know will change his life forever.”
Joshua has refused to reveal how guests responded.
This man is not a man of God, he is a pure capitalist spendthrift.
These people need to get their priorities straightened out.
Life is not about conspicuous consumption, or greed.
The highest form of living is service to others.
The best thing that could happen to this entire family is they go down the financial drain, and re-prioritze their life.
They would do well to study the life of Mahatma Ghandi, the Indian holy man, and take note.