A recent sermon by Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) has stirred controversy within Nigeria’s Christian community following comments he made about the late Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, the first General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC).
In a now-viral video, Fatoyinbo praised Babalola as “so anointed” but claimed that his grace seemingly “went to waste” because he lacked wealth. He also referenced a story where a python allegedly dried up after crawling over Babalola’s leg, highlighting the spiritual power the apostle was known for.
“I was studying recently about Apostle Babalola. I stand to be corrected—what God did through him, if it had been properly documented, people would come here for pilgrimage,” Fatoyinbo said. “He was anointed. Heavy-duty grace, but no money. So all the grace just went like that.”
His comments drew sharp criticism from the CAC, which released a statement on Thursday signed by its Director of Publicity, Pastor Ade Alawode.
“We typically avoid responding to social media controversies,” the statement began, “but your remarks—widely shared online—require clarification. It is deeply misleading and biblically inaccurate to equate spiritual success with material wealth.”
The CAC condemned Fatoyinbo’s rhetorical question—“Where are his children?”—calling it “insensitive and ill-informed.” The church cited Luke 12:15 in response: “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
Setting the record straight, the CAC stated that Apostle Babalola was not poor. He lived in a befitting home, owned one of the best Ford Jeeps of his era, and cared for many beyond his immediate family. They also noted that when Queen Elizabeth II visited Nigeria in 1956, Babalola was among the honored guests—a sign of his respect and standing at the time.
The church further emphasized that his two surviving children are “blessed, fulfilled, and quietly serving the Lord,” describing them as modest and content—not flashy or materialistic.