Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), has issued a public apology to the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) following backlash over comments he made about the late Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, the church’s first General Evangelist.
In a now-viral video clip, Fatoyinbo praised Babalola as “anointed… so anointed” but controversially added that “all the grace just went like that” because the revered evangelist “had no money.”
The remarks drew strong condemnation from the CAC, which, in a statement signed by its Director of Publicity, Pastor Ade Alawode, criticised Fatoyinbo for creating a misleading link between ministerial success and material wealth. The church described his words as “insensitive and biblically flawed.”
Fatoyinbo’s Apology
Reacting to the criticism, Fatoyinbo released a statement on Thursday acknowledging the concerns raised by the CAC and apologising for any distress caused. He insisted that his intention was not to speak negatively about Apostle Babalola or his family.
“Let me state however that at no time in the sermon did I refer to the children of the late Apostle and Father of faith in bad light. I would never do that. The raw copy of the message is online and can be verified,” Fatoyinbo said.
“I would never in any way take lightly the grace over Apostle Babalola, his children, or his ministry for granted or speak lightly of same.”
He further described Apostle Babalola as a “highly revered father of faith” whose ministry had influenced many churches, including his own.
“I apologise 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,” he added.
The Viral Sermon
In the sermon that sparked the controversy, Fatoyinbo had narrated an extraordinary event involving Babalola.
“I was studying recently about what Apostle Babalola did. I stand to be corrected. What God did through Smith Wigglesworth, if they had documented what God did in the life of that man (Babalola), people would be coming here for pilgrimage. He was anointed. So anointed,” Fatoyinbo said.
“Anointed man. Heavy-duty grace, but no money. So all the grace just went like that.”
According to Fatoyinbo, Babalola once encountered a python that allegedly dried up after crossing his leg — a testament, he said, to the evangelist’s extraordinary spiritual power.
CAC’s Response
In its statement, the CAC emphasised that equating spiritual calling with material wealth is against biblical teachings.
“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,” the church said.
“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
Fatoyinbo concluded his apology by expressing hope that the matter would be resolved, praying for the continued growth of the CAC and the legacy of Apostle Babalola.
