Our Reporter, Abuja
The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) has issued a rebuttal to comments made by Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), accusing him of misrepresenting the life and ministry of the church’s first General Evangelist, Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola.
In a statement on Thursday signed by its Director of Publicity, Pastor Ade Alawode, CAC said it was compelled to respond to Fatoyinbo’s recent sermon, which has been trending on YouTube and other social media platforms, for three main reasons: scriptural justification, clarification of truth, and defense of the church’s legacy.
Fatoyinbo had reportedly acknowledged Apostle Babalola’s spiritual anointing but remarked that the revivalist “had no money” before asking sarcastically, “Where are his children?”—a question CAC described as “insensitive and ill-informed.”
“To equate anointing or ministerial success with material wealth isn’t just a misreading of scripture; it’s a message that encourages greed, corruption, and ungodliness, especially in a nation already struggling with moral decay,” the statement read.
Setting the record straight
CAC clarified that Apostle Babalola, who was called into ministry in 1928 at the age of 24, was neither poor nor destitute. The church said he lived in a befitting home, drove one of the best Ford Jeeps of his era, supported the education of many, fed the poor, and gave generously to church projects—yet without exploiting the pulpit.
The statement also noted that Babalola was among those honoured by the colonial government during Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Nigeria in 1956, arguing that “a man in rags” would not have received such recognition.
“He was blessed – but not materialistic or greedy. He gave land to the church, supported the education of many, fed the poor, and healed the sick. He housed more people than just his biological children. When Queen Elizabeth II visited Nigeria in February 1956, Apostle Babalola was among the honored guests. Would a man in rags be granted such recognition by a colonial government? Certainly not.”
Addressing Fatoyinbo’s question about Babalola’s descendants, CAC confirmed that the late evangelist’s children—Mama Eunice Wuraola Ogini and Apostle Ademiyi—are alive, blessed, and serving God quietly “without being loud, ostentatious, or greedy.”
The measure of true anointing
Quoting Acts 3:6, Romans 14:17, and Matthew 20:25–28, CAC stressed that the true measure of a believer’s anointing is “sacrificial service, righteousness, and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” rather than material accumulation.
“Once again, beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses,” the statement warned.
The church concluded by urging all ministers to “rightly divide the Word of Truth” and walk in humility, reverence, and godly wisdom.
