Senior Pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (Coza), Biodun Fatoyinbo, says his recent statement surrounding the wealth and family of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) founder, Joseph Ayo Babalola, was misinterpreted.

CAC, on its Facebook account, on Thursday, berated Biodun Fatoyinbo over his remark regarding Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, describing his remark about Apostle Babalola as insensitive and ill-informed.

In a trending video on YouTube, the Senior Pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (Coza), allegedly said that Apostle Babalola, despite the deluge of anointing, died poor while questioning the whereabouts of his children. Fatoyinbo described Babalola as “an anointed man”, citing instances where a python would cross his leg and dry up.

He said, “So, all his grace just went like that? He didn’t have money,” reiterating, and asked, “Where are his children?”

His comments drew a barrage of criticism from the public and the Christian community, prompting CAC to release a statement on its Facebook account on Thursday.

In a statement posted on his Instagram account on Thursday, Pastor Fatoyinbo expressed his love for CAC and lauded its leaders for coming out to address the issue. Fatoyinbo described Joseph Ayo Babalola as a father of faith who remains the hallmark of most Christian organisations in Nigeria and beyond.

He maintained that he never at any time in the sermon referred to the late Apostle’s children in a bad light, given the fact that he grew up in the church and cannot erase that part of his formative years.

”My attention has been drawn to a press release on statements credited to my person relating to the family of the Late and Highly Revered Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, a most distinguished father of faith in Nigeria and indeed all over the world.

”I appreciate the fact that a church I love, admire and respect would be so kind and magnanimous enough to address the issues which have been misconstrued in an exemplary Christian manner. I am indeed grateful. The exploits of Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, which, in the video, I stated explicitly are too numerous to count, remain the hallmark of most Christian organisations in Nigeria and beyond till this very moment.

”Indeed, many of the churches in this part of the world take their DNA either directly or indirectly from the ministry and grace over the life of Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, of which I cannot but also state categorically that I am a beneficiary. I am therefore honoured, humbled and grateful for every word, admonition and correction in the statement issued this morning by CAC. I am a child who grew up in the church and cannot erase that part of my formative years.

”Let me state, however, that at no time in the sermon did I refer to the children of the late Apostle and Father of faith in a bad light. I would never do that. The raw copy of the message is online, and this can be verified. Our church is known worldwide as a place of honour, and I would never in any way take lightly the grace of Apostle Babalola, his children or his ministry for granted or speak lightly of the same.

”I am also aware that the children of the late Veteran of faith, who are all serving God and keeping up the legacy of our late father of faith, are not only shining examples of generational impact, but good and present-day examples for children of visionaries to follow.

” I remain proud of their achievements and honour them in no small measure,” the statement reads.