Joseph Ayo Babalola
Joseph Ayo Babalola (25 April 1904 – 26 July 1959) was a Nigerian Christian minister and evangelist. He was the first General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church,[1] popularly called CAC in Nigeria. He was credited with healing powers.
Joseph Babalola | |
|---|---|
| Born | 25 April 1904 |
| Died | 26 July 1959 (aged 55) |
| Resting place | Grave Prayer House Mausoleum Effon-Alaiye, Ekiti State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Citizenship | Nigerian |
| Occupation(s) | Apostle, Preacher, Prophet |
| Title | Apostle Prophet |
| Partner | Dorcas Babalola |
| Children | Apeke Adeniyi |
| Parent(s) | Pa David Lawani Rotimi and Madam Martha Talabi Rotimi |
Early life
Babalol a was born of Yoruba parents at Odo-Owa, in Kwara State.[2] He was brought up as an Anglican. He attended elementary school at Oto-Awori on Badagry Road, Lagos State, in 1914.[2] He reached standard four before he became a blacksmith's apprentice where he studied for two years. He then became a steamroller operator under the PWD (Public Works Department), then under the control of Great Britain. After 15 days of training, he was able to drive without any assistance. After nine months; he became a master driver. A steamroller was first assigned to him on 1 April 1928 to work on the Osogbo – Ilesha road. On June 14, 1928, he transferred to Akure – Ilesha road.[2] Babalola was baptized in Lagos lagoon in December 1929.[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 claimed he was called by God in 1928.
Death
He was buried at Erekesan street at the Mausoleum in Efon Alaaye town in Ekiti state.
References
- "Joseph Ayo Babalola: 60 years after". Tribune Online. 2019-07-17. Retrieved 2022-03-08.
- "Short History of Christ Apostolic Church". joafosco.blogspot.com. 11 September 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
- Abi Olowe; Great Revivals, Great Revivalist - Joseph Ayo Babalola Archived 2009-01-30 at the Wayback Machine, Omega Publishers, 2007
- "Special Feature on Heroes of Faith". memikoroduroad.org. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
- (1). S.A. Fatokun(2006), "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.http://www.oritajournal.org
- (2). 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
- (3)S.E.A. Oludare (1999), "The Trio of CAC Founding Fathers", M.A. Dissertation, Department of Religious Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Further reading
- Abi Olowe; Joseph Ayo Babalola Miracle Center, Omega Publishers, 2007
- Toyin Falola; The History of Nigeria, Greenwood Press, 1999