By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) has issued a strongly worded statement rebuking Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) for remarks the church described as “insensitive” and “biblically flawed” regarding the life and legacy of Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, the church’s first General Evangelist.
In a recent post shared by Pastor Ade Alawode, CAC’s Director of Publicity, the church took exception to Fatoyinbo’s recent comments in a trending YouTube message in which he acknowledged Apostle Babalola’s anointing but remarked that the late cleric “had no money,” before rhetorically asking, “Where are his children?”
According to Pastor Alawode, the comments not only misrepresented the biblical link between ministry and wealth but also mocked the personal life of a revered spiritual leader whose influence remains global decades after his death.
“To equate anointing or ministerial success with material wealth is biblically flawed,” Alawode wrote, citing Luke 12:15 and 1 Timothy 6:10 as evidence that “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”
He accused Fatoyinbo of promoting a form of “prosperity theology” that encourages greed, corruption, and godlessness.
The CAC spokesperson stressed that Apostle Babalola lived a sacrificial life, using his resources to educate the less privileged, feed the poor, and support the church without exploiting the pulpit.
He also noted that contrary to Fatoyinbo’s insinuation, Babalola had children who are still alive and active in church service, albeit without public flamboyance.
“Apostle Babalola was blessed — but not materialistic or greedy. He housed more than just his biological children, drove one of the best Ford Jeeps of his time, and was honored by Queen Elizabeth II during her 1956 visit to Nigeria,” the statement read.
Pastor Alawode concluded by challenging Fatoyinbo to reflect on Acts 3:6, in which the Apostle Peter declared he had no silver or gold yet remained deeply anointed, emphasizing that “the measure of a believer’s anointing is not in material accumulation, but in sacrificial service.”
Fatoyinbo has yet to publicly respond to the CAC’s statement as of the time of filing this report.
