The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) has issued a strongly worded response to Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), condemning his recent remarks about the church’s revered founder, Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola.
In a viral sermon clip, Fatoyinbo had acknowledged Apostle Babalola’s anointing but claimed he “had no money” and sarcastically asked, “Where are his children?” — a comment the CAC described as “insensitive and ill-informed.”
In an official statement signed by Pastor Ade Alawode, the CAC Director of Publicity, the church called on Fatoyinbo to “show wisdom and humility” by offering a public apology to “millions of sons and daughters of Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola around the world.”
“To equate anointing or ministerial success with material wealth is biblically flawed,” the statement read, citing Luke 12:15: “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
The CAC accused Fatoyinbo of promoting “a misleading narrative” that aligns with Simony — the monetization of spiritual gifts — warning that such teachings risk encouraging greed, corruption, and moral decay in Nigeria.
The church also sought to clarify what it called “public misrepresentations” of Apostle Babalola’s life. Babalola was called into ministry in 1928 at age 24, serving across Nigeria and Ghana with a ministry marked by miracles and revival. While not materialistic, Babalola was financially blessed, owned property, supported education, fed the poor, and lived in a “befitting home,” including owning one of the best Ford Jeeps of his time.
He was an honoured guest when Queen Elizabeth II visited Nigeria in 1956 — evidence, the CAC argued, that he was not destitute. His children, Mama Eunice Wuraola Ogini and Apeke Adeniyi, are alive, blessed, and actively serving in the church without flamboyance.
Pastor Alawode also challenged Fatoyinbo with a biblical question: “When Peter said in Acts 3:6, ‘Silver and gold I do not have’ — was he still anointed or not?”
The CAC concluded by urging Fatoyinbo to align his preaching with biblical values, reminding him that true greatness in ministry lies in sacrificial service, not material accumulation. Quoting Matthew 20:25–28, the church reiterated: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”
