The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) has called on the Global Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo, to publicly apologise over remarks suggesting that the children of its late founder, Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola, “would hate God” because their father “had no money.”
Fatoyinbo made the comments during a service in Abuja, after a guest preacher’s sermon, where he described Babalola as an “anointed man of God” but claimed he lacked financial prosperity. He told his congregation: “I was studying recently about what Pastor, Apostle Babalola did… Anointed man. Heavy duty grace. But, no money. So all the grace just went like that. Where are his children? I’m sure some of them will hate God.”
The COZA pastor, who said he had prayed over two new private jets earlier that day, also recounted stories of Babalola’s ministry and the miracles he did. He compared Babalola’s ministry to that of British evangelist Smith Wigglesworth, claiming the Nigerian preacher’s works could have attracted pilgrimages if they were properly documented.
Fatoyinbo further referenced other unnamed preachers whose children allegedly abandoned the faith after experiencing hardship, claiming one preacher’s wife died without money for medical treatment.
Reacting in a statement on Thursday, CAC’s Director of Publicity, Pastor Ade Alawode, condemned the remarks as disrespectful and hurtful to the church’s millions of members worldwide.
“It is expected that Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo will show wisdom and humility by offering a public apology to the millions of sons and daughters of Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola around the world,” the statement read.
“Dear Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo,
Greetings to you in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Ordinarily, we do not respond to social media commentaries or controversies. However, we consider it necessary to address your recent statements, which have been widely circulated on your social media platforms, for the following three reasons:
1. Scriptural Justification — The Bible permits us to respond wisely to folly to prevent arrogance (Proverbs 26:5).
2. Clarification of Truth — To correct the misleading narrative you are promoting about ministry and wealth.
3. Defense of Legacy — To address the inaccurate claims you’ve made regarding the life and ministry of Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, the first General Evangelist of Christ Apostolic Church.
In one of your trending messages on YouTube, you acknowledged that Apostle Babalola was highly anointed but “had no money”, and then went on to ask sarcastically, “Where are his children?” — a question that was both insensitive and ill-informed.
To equate anointing or ministerial success with material wealth is biblically flawed. The words of Jesus are clear:
“Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” — Luke 12:15.
Yet, your teachings suggest otherwise.
In doing so, you promote what the Bible refers to as Simony — the monetization of spiritual gifts (Acts 8:18–24). The Scriptures do not teach that money is a sign of anointing. Rather, “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). Which Bible do you read and preach from?
On the Question of Apostle Babalola’s Children
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. 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?
Setting the Record Straight
For the sake of truth and posterity, let me correct the public misrepresentations you’ve made regarding Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola:
Honor and I would never in any way of manner take lightly the grace over Apostle Babalola, his children or his ministry for granted or speak lightly of same.
“I am also aware that the children of the late Veteran of faith, who are all serving God and keeping up the legacy of our late father of faith are not only shining examples of generational impact, but good and present day examples for children of visionaries to follow.
“I remain proud of their achievements and honor them in no small measure.
“Finally, I apologize if any other statement made by me has caused any form of distress, hurt or discontentment to the CAC, the family of the late Apostle Babalola or his associates.
“I will never disrespect or speak of them in that manner either publicly or privately.
“I pray that this puts to rest the entire episode and we pray that the CAC and the legacy of our father Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, continues to grow in leaps and bounds.
“Your Son,
“‘Biodun Fatoyinbo.”
Apostle Babalola, revered as one of Nigeria’s greatest revivalists, founded the CAC in 1940 and is remembered for his powerful healing and revival crusades across the country.
