Joseph Ayo Babalola
Joseph Ayo Babalola (1904-1959) was the founder of the Christ Apostolic Church, popularly called Aladura in Nigeria. He was credited with healing powers.
Life and mission
Babalola was born of Yoruba parents at Ilofa, Nigeria, and was brought up as an Anglican. Having left elementary school, he was employed in the Public Works Department as a steam roller operator. In October 1928, while trying to repair his machine, he believed that Jesus Christ called him to abandon the job and start preaching. He then joined Faith Tabernacle in Lagos, which was related to an American Pentecostal organization.
In September 1930 Babalola was credited with raising a dead man to life. From then on, with bell and Yoruba Bible in hand, he toured Yorubaland and eastern Nigeria, preaching about repentance, and renunciation of idolatry, the importance of prayer and fasting, and the power of God to heal sickness.
In 1930 Faith Tabernacle affiliated with the British Apostolic Church. Then following a schism in the Apostolic Church about 1940, Bablola went with a new independent church, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), where he continued his healing and revivalistic activities until his death. The CAC regards Babalola as an apostle and his revival ministry as the beginning of the church. A CAC retreat center was built where Babalola was first called in 1928.
The Christ Apostolic Church has not died along with Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola in 1958. As a matter of fact it has grown rapidly over the years, with many churches under the Christ Apostolic Church name but each church with a specific branch name.
Prophet Joseph Ayo Babalola (1904-1959)
Founder of Christ Apostolic Church (Aladura)
The story of Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola, his life and work can be thus classified. His unprecedented Oke-Oye Revival gave birth to what is now known as the Christ Apostolic Church (C.A.C.), a Nigerian indigenous church.
To know more and read full story of His Call to Ministry, the Birth of the CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH (CAC) in Nigeria, Oke-Oye Mighty Revival etc then click here
