Joseph Ayo Babalola

Joseph Ayo Babalola
Born(1904-04-25)25 April 1904
Odo-Owa, Oke-Ero, Southern Nigeria Protectorate (now Kwara State, Nigeria)
Died26 July 1959(1959-07-26) (aged 55)
Ede, Western Region, British Nigeria (now Osun State, Nigeria)
Resting placeGrave Prayer House Mausoleum Effon-Alaiye, Ekiti State, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
CitizenshipNigerian
Occupation(s)Apostle, Preacher
TitleApostle Prophet
PartnerDorcas Babalola
ChildrenApeke Adeniyi

Joseph Ayo Babalola (25 April 1904 – 26 July 1959) was a Nigerian Christian minister and the leader of the Christ Apostolic Church,[1] popularly called CAC in Nigeria. He was a healing evangelist.

Early life

Babalola was born of Yoruba parents at Odo-Owa, in Kwara State[2] and brought up as an Anglican. He attended elementary school at Oto-Awori on Badagry Road, Lagos State, in 1914.[2] He then became a steamroller operator under the PWD (Public Works Department), then under the control of Great Britain. He worked as a steamroller.[3][4]

Ministry and healing

In 1931, Faith Tabernacle affiliated with The Apostolic Church with general headquarters in the United Kingdom (not British Apostolic Church, as erroneously stated by some authors).[5] Following a schism in The Apostolic Church around 1940, Babalola went with a group led by Pastors J.B. Akinyele and D.O. Odubanjo to form an independent church,[6] Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), where he continued his healing and evangelism until his death.

The CAC regards Babalola as an apostle, although he was not ordained into that office. A CAC retreat center was built at Ipo Arakeji, Osun State where Babalola was called in 1928. However, Babalola was not the sole founder of CAC as many claim, but one of three founders.[7]

The Christ Apostolic Church outlived Babalola and grew rapidly, with many churches under the CAC name. Each church has a specific branch name. Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) a private Nigerian university is located in Ipo Arakeji and Ikeji-Arakeji. Two neighbouring communities in Osun State, established by the Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide are named after him, located where he was called by God in 1928.

Death and documentary film

He died in 1959 and was buried in Efon Alaaye town in Ekiti state. Baba Abiye at Ede was, however, credited with the story of his death.[8]


A documentary film about Joseph Ayo Babalola was released by the Ogongo TV on Saturday, January 19, 2019.[9] The movie titled "Ayipada Nla", directed by Adeoye Omoniyi and produced by Adewale Omoniyi narrates how the late Babalola started his ministry in a Yoruba village from where the revival spread to other parts of Nigeria in 1930.[9]


Babalola seemed to have exhibited "no sign of illness" prior to his death.[10][11][12][13] It took place on 26 July 1959 at Ede, Osun State, Nigeria.

On 24 July 1959, Babalola went back to Ibadan in order to be part of the general council's meeting that held on that day. He later sent two of his followers to Baba Abiye at Ede, that he should prepare a place for him to sleep. Babalola arrived at Ede in the evening. However, Babalola died in the evening of 26 July 1959, breathing heavily three times and saying, "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost".[14]

Legacy

Today, Babalola's legacy continues to be seen as one that "powerfully reverberates through the corridors of Pentecostalism in Africa. His voice, though silenced by death, continues to resonate".[15] Babalola's influence as a "legendary apostle" lives on,[16] inspiring Christians globally to have faith in God's healing power.[17]

While motivating and leading "the church community in its journey of faith and service".[18] Babalola's life and ministry seemed to have forever impacted the Pentecostal movement in Nigeria and beyond.[19] His ministry was marked by claims of miraculous healings.[20][21] His "prophetic and healing abilities" coupled with his "humility and selfless service" were later considered by Isaiah Egedegbe as some seeming similarities between Babalola himself and TB Joshua.[22] Both lives seem to serve as a reminder that sometimes, religious figures with the most impactful ministries may come from humble backgrounds.[22]

Babalola was believed to have inspired a new generation of Christian ministers, as "these men drew great inspiration from Babalola".[23] These men initially included Daniel Orekoya, Peter Olatunji and Aladura Omotunde.[23] It later included men like Daniel Kolawole Olukoya of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries.[24]

According to Professor Ojo Emmanuel Ademola, "Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola's life and teachings inspire a new generation of leaders to bring about a revival and unity in CAC Nigeria and Overseas".[25]

Challenges

In what was described as "a persecution called Imprisonment",[22] Babalola was sent to jail for six months in Benin City in March 1932.[23] Although Babalola seemed to have been wrongfully imprisoned, yet he served the sentence.[23][26]

The sentencing was often seen as a result of persecution. One writer later opined that Babalola's only crime appears to be his passion "for preaching against witchcraft".[27]


On the marital front, Babalola seemed to have experienced yet another challenge, as it was alleged that he suffered a great deal in the hands of his wife.[28]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Joseph Ayo Babalola: 60 years after". Tribune Online. 17 July 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Short History of Christ Apostolic Church". joafosco.blogspot.com. 11 September 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  3. ^ Abi Olowe; Great Revivals, Great Revivalist - Joseph Ayo Babalola Archived 2009-01-30 at the Wayback Machine, Omega Publishers, 2007
  4. ^ "Special Feature on Heroes of Faith". memikoroduroad.org. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  5. ^ S.A. Fatokun (2006), [http://www.oritajournal.org "The Apostolic Church Nigeria: The 'Metamorphosis' of an Indigenous-Prophetic Healing Movement into a Classical Pentecostal Denomination" in Orita – Ibadan Journal of Religious Studies, Vol. 38, June & Dec., pp. 49-70.
  6. ^ S.A. Fatokun (2005), "Pentecostalism in Nigeria with Particular Emphasis on The Apostolic Church in Southwestern Nigeria", PhD Thesis, Department of Religious Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
  7. ^ S.E.A. Oludare (1999), "The Trio of CAC Founding Fathers", M.A. Dissertation, Department of Religious Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
  8. ^ Olajire, Bolarinwa. "HOW APOSTLE JOSEPH AYO BABALOLA DIED ON 26 JULY 1959". ServantBoy.com. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  9. ^ a b Oluwafemi Dosu. "Ayipada Nla movie, a story of Apostle Ayo Babalola released on Ogongo TV". GospelFilmNews.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  10. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20210428085352/https://gospotainment.com/how-apostle-joseph-ayo-babalola-died
  11. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20221015145127/https://gospelbuzz.com/how-apostle-joseph-ayo-babalola-died
  12. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20230325053950/https://africanorbit.com/how-apostle-joseph-ayo-babalola-died
  13. ^ https://www.oloyede.com.ng/2016/07/how-apostle-joseph-ayo-babalola-died.html?m=1
  14. ^ https://www.cacworldnews.com/2017/08/how-apostle-joseph-ayo-babalola-dies.html?m=1
  15. ^ "He Died, Yet He Speaks: What Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola Would Say to CAC Nigeria and Overseas Today". Our Nigeria News. 5 July 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  16. ^ Omole, Timothy O. (2023). "ALEKUWODU ,: the Legendary Apostle Ayo Babalola". Academia.edu.
  17. ^ https://ournigerianews.com/the-miraculous-legacy-of-faith-exploring-the-healing-miracles-of-apostle-joseph-ayo-babalola/
  18. ^ "The Legacy of Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola: Returning to the Ancient Landmark and Recognising the Heritage of CAC Nigeria and Overseas". Time of Power. 25 January 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  19. ^ https://therebirthchurchofgod.com/apostle-ayo-babalola/
  20. ^ Irekamba, Chris; Taiwo, Isaac (4 September 2016). "Why outstanding miracles are not common in churches today". The Guardian Newspaper. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  21. ^ Ogedegbe, I. O. "How Apostle Ayo Babalola Died On Sunday 29th July 1959". Opera News. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  22. ^ a b c Ogedegbe, Isaiah (27 May 2024). "Four Similarities in the Ministries of Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola and Prophet TB Joshua". Nigerian Times. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  23. ^ a b c d "Babalola, Joseph Ayodele (C)". Dictionary of African Christian Biography. Archived from the original on 30 April 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  24. ^ "Biography of Professor Daniel Kolawole Olukoya". The New Man. 30 May 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  25. ^ "Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola and the Remnants: A Vision for Revival and Unity in CAC Nigeria and Overseas". Our Nigeria News. 1 February 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  26. ^ "Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola - The Story of the Powerful Leader of the Christ Apostolic Church, popularly called CAC in Nigeria". Yorubaness. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  27. ^ Kpadamrophe, Rume. "The roaring reformer - Apostle Ayo Babalola". Christian Today. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  28. ^ "Apostle Babalola: How Mistake in Marriage, Led to His Untimely Death". The Cheer News. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2025.

Further reading

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