The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) has written an open letter to controversial Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, the founder of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), for disparaging the late General Evangelist of the Church, Apostle Ayo Babalola.
In the letter endorsed by Pastor Ade Alawode, CAC’s Director of Publicity, the church made reference to a trending video of Fatoyinbo on YouTube, where he said Babalola was anointed but had no money.
Alawode queried Fatoyinbo for sarcastically asking where the children of the late evangelist were. Pastor Alawode said the question was insensitive and insulting.
He pointed out that equating anointing or ministerial success with material wealth was not the teaching of the Bible.
Alawode reminded Fatoyinbo that Jesus asked his disciples to take heed and be careful about covetousness. He said Jesus instructed that a man’s life was not about the abundance of the things he possesses, as established in Luke 12:15 in the Bible.
The CAC pastor accused Fatoyinbo of monetising spiritual gifts, pointing out that the Bible did not teach that money is a sign of anointing.
He said, rather, believers were warned that the love of money was the root of all kinds of evil”.
Alawode said Apostle Babalola had children.
He noted that it should have occurred to Fatoyinbo that Babalola’s children would be the agemates of his grandparents now.
Alawode stated that Fatoyinbo’s brand of prosperity theology derides the poor.
He wonders if such a message was not an encouragement of covetousness, corruption and godlessness.
Alawode said the late prophet and apostle was comfortable in his time but not materialistic or greedy.
He revealed that he gave pieces of land to the church, funded the education of many, fed the poor, and lived sacrificially.
Alawode recalled that when the late Queen Elizabeth II visited Nigeria in February 1956, the late Apostle Ayo Babalola was among those specially invited to the occasion.
He further disclosed that the late man of God lived in a befitting home and owned one of the best Ford Jeeps of his time.
Alawode said Babalola also assisted those around him to wed or acquire education, without corrupting himself on the pulpit.
The CAC pastor disclosed that Babalola’s biological children were alive and serving God in their respective capacities. He mentioned Mama Apeke Adeniyi and Mama Eunice Wuraola Ogini.
He noted that 66 years after his death, Babalola’s legacy was still strong and a blessing to countless lives and ministries.
Alawode said the measure of a believer’s anointing was not in material accumulation, but in sacrificial service.
