Joseph Ayo Babalola, the founder of Christ Apostolic Church, was born on 25th, April 1904 in Odo-Owa, Ilofa, Kwara state.
He was born into the family of late pa David Lawani Rotimi and madam Martha Talabi Rotimi.
Babalola was born and brought up in Anglican Church. He was brought to Lagos by his uncle, Mr. M. O Rotimi who was a teacher at C. M. S.
Joseph attended an elementary school at Oto-Awori on Badagry road, Methodist school, Ago Ijaye in Ebute meta before moving to Osun where he attended M. S. C school in Oshogbo.
He stopped schooling to learn Blacksmith and later became a stream roller operator under PWD(Public Works Department).
He became a prophet of God in 1928 when God called him on Akure - Ilesha road in October 9th by river Ariran. On 11th of the same month and year, He was also called by God to abandon his job and start preaching.
Babalola harkened to the voice and received the call when he fasted and prayed.
Joseph was later sent out of Anglican Church in his village by the Bishop because majority of the church members have being seeing visions, speaking in tongues and praying energetically. He was baptized at Lagos Lagoon in 1928.
Babalola first miracle was in September 1930 when he woke up a dead child, a week later, He also healed lepers, blind and lame people.
This brought about the great revival of 1930 which recorded massive attendance from Africa and Diaspora without advert.
Babalola ministry was given Bell, Water, Staff and Bible. The bell was used to invite Angels of God during prayer gatherings and the water was used to heal people of their sicknesses.
Babalola’s shortest and brief prayer was that of 3 to 4 hours. It was remarked by Elder Abraham Owoyemi of Odo-Owa that the prophet regularly saw angels who delivered divine messages to him and that An angel appeared in one of his prayers and forbade him to wear caps.
In 1930 Faith Tabernacle affiliated with the British Apostolic Church. Then following a separation in the Apostolic Church about 1940, Babalola went with a new independent church, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), where he continued his healing and revivalist activities until his death.
It was recorded that Babalola wasn't the sole founder of C. A
C as people do think today. The church had three (3) founding fathers, the registration of the church under cooperate affairs commission in 1943 gave credence to this as Pastor Akinyele and Odunbanjo was recognized as the first president and vice president / General superintendent respectively while Ayo Babalola was known as the General Evangelist.
The great Apostle of God died on July, 1959. This happened almost 30years of his calling.
As at today, the church is still in existence with international recognition.
The CAC regards Babalola as an apostle and his revival ministry as the beginning of the church. A CAC retreat center and University in his name have been built at Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State where Babalola was first called in 1928 by God. By the special calling of Ayo babalola b4 the End of this year, you will share a bigger testimony that will suprice everyone in Jesus mighty name (Amen)

*written by Ayodele Oyedokun*
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*RAINBOWNET MAGAZINE AND ENTERTAINMENT*

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