Christ Apostolic Church tackles Biodun Fatoyinbo for saying Joseph Babalola ‘had no money’

Controversy has trailed a comment by Biodun Fatoyinbo, the senior pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), about the late Joseph Ayodele Babalola, a prophet in the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC).

During a recent sermon, Fayoyinbo said Babalola was an “anointed man of God” but he had “no money” during his lifetime.

“I was studying recently about what Pastor apostle Babalola did. I stand to be corrected but what God did through Smith Wigglesworth, if they had documented what God did in the life of that man (Babalola), I’m telling you people will be coming here for pilgrimage… he was anointed, anointed man, heavy-duty grace but no money,” Fatoyinbo had said.

“Where are his children? I’m sure some of them will hate God.”

The video of the sermon has been trending online, as many Nigerians, especially Christians, criticised the cleric for assessing Babalola based on wealth.

THE CHURCH REACTS

In a lengthy statement, Ade Alawode, CAC’s director of publicity, said the comment made by Fatoyinbo about Babalola was “insensitive and ill-informed”.

Alawode said equating ministerial success to material wealth is “Biblically flawed”, noting that Fatoyinbo’s statements “reflect more on the kind of company” he keeps.

“Ethically speaking, Apostle Babalola had children. Simple arithmetic should help you understand that they would be advanced in age by now — possibly your grandparents’ age,” the statement reads.

“What did you hope to achieve with the mocking question, “Where are the children of Babalola?”

“Your statement reflects more on the kind of company you keep, but as a preacher of the Word, shouldn’t your conduct and utterances be guided by Scripture?

“Where in the Bible does your brand of prosperity theology originate — one that demeans people for not being wealthy?

“Isn’t such a message encouraging greed, corruption, and godlessness, especially in a nation already struggling with moral decay?

“For the sake of truth and posterity, let me correct the public misrepresentations you’ve made regarding Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola:

“Apostle Babalola was called by God on October 10, 1928, at the age of 24. His ministry spanned Western and Midwestern Nigeria and extended to the Gold Coast (now Ghana), marked by undeniable signs and wonders.

“He was blessed — but not materialistic or greedy. He gave lands to the Church, supported the education of many, fed the poor, and lived sacrificially. 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.”

“He was no fundraiser, yet God supplied his needs. His diaries are filled with divine provisions like “Ipese Olorun loni: £100.00, £50.00…”

“He lived in a befitting home, drove one of the best Ford Jeeps of his time, and funded weddings, education, and apprenticeship programmes—all without exploiting the pulpit.”