Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) has ignited a significant debate within the Christian community with recent comments he made regarding the late Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, one of the founding fathers, and a prominent figure in the history of Christ Apostolic Church.
Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo’s quoted Statement
In a sermon that has gone viral, Pastor Fatoyinbo preaching on poverty as a killer of dreams summarily stated, “Apostle Babalola was highly anointed but had no money… All the grace just went like that. Where are his children now? I am sure some of them would hate God. His children would be angry with God.”
During the sermon, Pastor Fatoyinbo discussed the importance of financial prosperity alongside spiritual anointing, using Apostle Babalola as an example of someone who he believes had a powerful anointing but lacked financial success.
This perspective suggests that anointing without wealth is a lost opportunity and that financial stewardship is a critical component of a successful ministry.
Fatoyinbo’s remarks have been widely interpreted as a rude critique of Babalola’s financial status and a suggestion that spiritual anointing without material wealth is an incomplete legacy.
His statements have sparked a strong reaction from various ministers and believers who are now weighing in on the issue.
Reverend Kesiena Esiri’s Connection
Among the most notable responses is that of Reverend Kesiena Esiri of RCN Warri, who has strongly rebuked Fatoyinbo’s comments.
In his own sermon, Esiri defended the integrity and spiritual impact of Apostle Babalola, arguing that his legacy cannot be measured by financial terms. He emphasized the immense spiritual anointing and revival that Babalola brought to Nigeria, stating that his contributions were far more valuable than any amount of money.
He called on Pastor Biodun not to rubbish the great legacies of Apostle Babalola, especially preaching it to younger generations and vowed to expose such excesses.
Rev. Esiri directly addressed the comments, defending the legacy of Apostle Babalola and the spiritual fathers of the faith. He argued against the notion that spiritual anointing must be accompanied by material wealth to be considered successful, emphasizing Babalola’s significant impact on Christianity in Nigeria.
The debate has spurred various reactions from Christian leaders and believers, with some supporting Fatoyinbo’s focus on prosperity and others, like Rev. Esiri, emphasizing the enduring spiritual legacy of figures like Babalola.
The conversation highlights differing views on the role of wealth in ministry and how the contributions of past revivalists should be honoured in the modern church.
This debate has opened a wider conversation about the role of wealth in ministry, the legacy of Nigerian Christian pioneers, and the clash between modern prosperity preaching and traditional views of faith and service.
In another post by Ossai Ovie Success Pastor Biodun was told to apologize to Apostle Babalola “because I am Disappointed in him.”
Ossai wrote, “I’m disappointed in Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo’s comments about Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola. He said, ‘Apostle Babalola of Christ Apostolic Church Nigeria CAC was heavily anointed but had no money, so all the grace just went like that.’
“This statement is disappointing and suggests that Pastor Biodun prioritizes wealth over spiritual legacy. Despite Pastor Biodun’s wealth, he’ll never come close to Apostle Babalola’s enduring legacy.”
He stressed further, “Apostle Babalola’s message of accountability, holiness, and purpose beyond material gain is the true message of Jesus Christ. I’m afraid Pastor Biodun’s prosperity message will fade away when he’s gone, but Apostle Babalola’s legacy will continue to inspire generations,” noting that “The prosperity gospel has done more harm than good to many Christians in Nigeria.”
He suggested that “Pastor Biodun (Fatoyinbo) of COZA should apologize to Apostle Babalola for his comments and reconsider his approach to preaching.”
Other Reactions
Chinedu Chika
If pastor Biodun is well grounded in the scriptures he would have known that there is no connection between anoiting and making money. But because all he sees in the scriptures is money he can say anything because of money.
Ayorinde Adebiyi, defending Pastor Fatoyinbo also wrote,
Most people commenting don’t even know my Pastor nor listen to the message.
Earlier before that selective information making rounds, he said if all rare miracles God wrought through Baba Ayo Babalola were documented into tape, books and other materials, the world would be coming to Nigeria.
The impact of his ministry would have been boundless. He mentioned that while we talk about the exploits of great Men of God like Kenneth E. Haging etc is because the miracles were documented and through their materials God is still touching lives. He didn’t play down on his anointing.
For the record, Baba Ayo Babalola is one of the Men of God he honours the most. He talks about him and the exploits at any opportunity he has.
“Selective information is wrong and evil”, he concluded, and warned, “This generation is smart! Let’s behave like one”
William Chinweike
I have said and will continue to say it, most of the pastors are the reason behind the increase in financial crime in this country. They have made people to see financial prosperity as the only proof of God’s blessings. Rest on great servant of the Most High God. Apostle Babalola.
Odim Stanley
There a difference between someone who is passionate about money and one who fear God.
Hopewyse Iyede ·
Was that all he said? What came before this statement and did he say after this statement.
Don’t make people make comments on A STATEMENT from A WHOLE MESSAGE
Onochie Michael
Such is life. Some men of God are much interested in money than spirituality.
Kingsley D Nwajiugo
That is what we see about modern day pastors, no spiritual sacrifice, no power and no holiness, just riches and pleasure.
Fidelis Adjogbe
Most pastors are after material things not the true gospel.
Oshevire Ejiro
Pastor Abiodun no get message to preach
Prince Afam Ezeh
If what you wrote.. is exactly what He said, then he’s absolutely wrong. The impact of Apostle Babalola has transcended for many generations. Globally now, that man shook the world when there were no privileges of social media, favours, I mean when Africa was still in the dark. Babalola’s legacies are unerasable. Pastor Biodun should indeed retract if indeed he made such statement.
Matthew Miviewha Major
I think I agree with you.
The gospel of prosperity that degrades the anointing is imbalance. In the days of Apostle Ayo Babalola, the focus was on power, anointing, and the presence of the Holy Ghost.
Iwere Mary Aima, replying Ayorinde Adebiyi also wrote, “Let’s be honest, saying a man of God ‘wasted his anointing because he had no money’ is not only unbiblical, it’s disrespectful to the work of the Holy Spirit. Nowhere in the Scripture is financial wealth the measure of a man’s calling or impact (Acts 3:6, Hebrews 11:37-38).
Apostle Babalola’s anointing produced revival, repentance, and miracles that still inspire generations. That is eternal fruit. If anything, people are drawn to Christ, not to Nigeria, not to money. When our focus shifts from souls to material metrics, we’ve lost the centre of the gospel. Jesus Himself had no mansion or bank account, yet His impact is eternal, are we going to say He ‘wasted His anointing’ too?”
Tom Theresa
The same prosperity message that is leading massive people to hell, no wonder you can’t differentiate between a believer and a club person because they have stopped talking about holiness and righteousness only prosperity that cannot save.
Ble Onwi
Dont mind them, all they talk about is prosperity, competing with themselves in looking fresh and doing guy on pulpit ..What will they actually be remembered for? Material things that fade away with the owner when he/she kpai (dead)…If he really said that I think he should ask God for mercies and rededicate his life to Christ …Till 100years to come generations will still be talking about Pa Babalola because of his good legacy.
Pastor Abiodun Fatoyinbo’s Self Defence
In his own response after many of these reactions, the man at the centre of this controversial statement, Pastor Abiodun Fatoyinbo himself replied those making statements after a widely misunderstood statement, explained;
“Recently my attention was drawn to something. Recently I went somewhere to preach, talking to young ministers and I told them to focus on their focus particularly because they need finance to really fortify their vision. Someone misquoted what I said and took the message from one to the other and said I was talking about the veterans of faith.
“If there is something people know about me, I honour people a lot particularly men of God. I normally don’t respond to this but because they are talking about the veteran of faith. That is why I have to talk about it.
“I was talking to young men on how to focus and that they would do well if they focus and make more money to express their ministry and someone took that out of context and began to talk.”
He continued,”That denomination in Nigeria (CAC) I attended the denomination. I went there for prayers. How can I talk down on that kind of a pastor, the founder of that ministry?
“It’s because there are distractions everywhere. When you are on a track running a relay race give your competitor, a baton a long gap you don’t look back. That can slow you down, and that is why the bible says looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
Jesus started the race, He passed the baton to us. To pass the baton to you He rather ran faster ahead of you. What you need is just to be focused for the hundred meters dash to give him back the baton. He is the author and the finisher of our faith.I pray for you in the name of Jesus that you will not be distracted. Distraction will not limit you in the name of Jesus.”
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