The Reverend Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola is celebrated as a pivotal figure in Nigerian Christianity, specifically for his significant role in the Oke-Oye Revival of 1930 and his foundational leadership within the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Nigeria and abroad. His ministry was characterised by a deep commitment to revival, unity, and sanctity within the Church.

In light of this, the distinctive attitude exemplified by Apostle Babalola during the Oke-Oye Revival provides valuable insights into the alignment of values between the current General Evangelist, Ojo Emmanuel Ademola, and the esteemed First General Evangelist, Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola. These reflections shed light on the importance of reuniting CAC Nigeria and Overseas through a shared pursuit of Righteous Revival and Unity.

The Oke-Oye Revival began in July 1930 in Ilesa, catalysed by Apostle Babalola’s prayer that resurrected a dead child during a doctrinal meeting. This miraculous event drew massive crowds seeking healing and spiritual renewal. Babalola’s approach during this period emphasised:

1. Divine Healing and Miracles: He demonstrated unwavering faith in God’s power to heal and perform miracles, often praying for the sick and afflicted, resulting in numerous testimonies of healing and deliverance.

2. Prayer and Fasting: Babalola believed that true revival stemmed from deep spiritual commitment, advocating for fervent prayer and fasting as means to seek God’s intervention and presence.

3. Holiness and Consecration: He stressed the importance of living a holy and separated life, viewing holiness not merely as adherence to rules but as a lifestyle reflecting God’s character. Babalola’s personal purity and devotion set a compelling example for others.

Foremost, as a founding leader of CAC, Babalola’s influence extended to shaping the church’s doctrines and practices:

1. Emphasis on Unity: He understood that a divided church could not effectively fulfil its mission. Babalola encouraged believers to set aside differences and unite in love and purpose, fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect among various ministers and members.

2. Inclusivity of Ministries: Recognising the diverse gifts within the body of Christ, he highlighted the significance of all ministerial roles—prophets, evangelists, teachers—in driving revival and unity. This inclusivity promoted collaboration and mutual respect within the church.

3. Sound Biblical Teaching: Babalola advocated for teachings firmly rooted in Scripture, ensuring that revival and unity were based on the truth of God’s Word. He believed that sound doctrine was essential for spiritual growth and cohesion within the church.

Babalola’s teachings underscored several key principles:

1. Revival Through Repentance: He echoed the biblical call for humility, prayer, and turning from wickedness as prerequisites for revival, aligning with 2 Chronicles 7:14.

2. Unity in the Spirit: Emphasising Ephesians 4:3, he urged believers to maintain unity through the bond of peace, recognizing that harmony within the church amplifies its witness and effectiveness.

3. Mutual Edification: Babalola encouraged believers to support and build one another up, fostering an environment where each member’s contributions were valued, leading to a stronger, united church body.

Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola’s enduring legacy provides a timeless blueprint for pursuing spiritual renewal and unity within the Church. His teachings inspire believers to earnestly seek God’s presence, embrace holiness, and collaborate to advance the Kingdom of God. As the first General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Nigeria and Overseas, his leadership during the 1930 revival emphasised divine healing, fervent prayer, and unity.

Professor Ojo Emmanuel Ademola, a renowned scholar and leader, assumes the pivotal role of General Evangelist of CAC Nigeria and Overseas. With a diverse background in theology, management, and information technology, he embodies a unique fusion of spiritual wisdom and professional acumen. Emphatically, Professor Ademola champions a vision for the church that mandates a steadfast return to the sacred roots, affirming the intrinsic value of revering the foundational principles and values laid down by the church’s pioneers. He staunchly advocates for the safeguarding of CAC’s fundamental doctrines and traditions that define its essence and purpose, all while embracing the blessings and opportunities of modernity.

Regarding the Certificate of Incorporation of 1985 and leadership dynamics within CAC, ongoing discussions and differing perspectives exist. The remnant aim to restore CAC to its original foundations, emphasising adherence to the 1985 Certificate and its leadership structures. Pastor David Udofia, General Secretary of CAC Nigeria and Overseas, works towards unity and reconciliation with other factions. However, the CAC GEC’s leadership has historically hindered pathways to unity, persisting in emphasising leadership succession and unity within the GEC.

Nonetheless, the Certificate of Incorporation of 1985 remains a critical document in the history of CAC Nigeria and Overseas, as it legally defines the governance structure, administrative authority, and operational legitimacy of the church. Over the years, disputes have arisen concerning its interpretation, particularly regarding the Supreme Council’s role and authority in overseeing CAC affairs.

The late GEC President Olusheye, who in the twilight of his life staunchly championed the authority of the Supreme Council’s leadership, adamantly advocated that any leadership transitions within CAC must strictly adhere to the legal and spiritual tenets outlined in the sacred 1985 Certificate. Despite his initial involvement as a key player in the Crisis, he underwent a profound transformation, firmly standing to protect doctrinal integrity and maintain administrative unity amidst factional disputes. This unwavering commitment characterized his stance until his passing, as he humbly acknowledged his past errors and expressed remorse by acknowledging his imminent meeting with his creator.

In this context, Ademola’s active engagement in seeking the truth about the 1985 Certificate suggests a deliberate effort to address unresolved ecclesiastical disputes. His approach aligns with the need for clarity, historical accountability, and a reconciliatory stance that ensures the church remains faithful to its founding principles while also accommodating contemporary realities. His inquiry into the Supreme Council’s leadership structure and historical legitimacy is pivotal in shaping a unified future for CAC, both within Nigeria and on the international stage.

Essentially, Ademola’s steadfast alignment with Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola’s revered legacy underscores his relentless advocacy for CAC Nigeria and Overseas to rediscover their foundational principles and honour their rich heritage. This unwavering commitment is pivotal as discussions on the 1985 Certificate of Incorporation and leadership evolution within CAC unfurl, signalling a broader quest for unity and restoration of the church’s original ethos. The convergence of Pastor Ademola, the present General Evangelist, with Apostle Babalola’s timeless vision heralds a potent exploration of spiritual heritage, doctrinal fidelity, and ecclesiastical stewardship, poised to guide CAC Nigeria and Overseas towards revival and harmony. As Epitomised by the late GEC President Olusheye, the collective journey towards reconciliation and spiritual cohesion epitomises the ongoing narrative of unity and revival within CAC Nigeria and Overseas.

When will the leaders of CAC Nigeria and Overseas unite to pursue a singular vision? The intersection of spiritual renewal, doctrinal purity, and church governance highlights the current dilemma faced by CAC: preserving its Pentecostal legacy amidst leadership intricacies and organisational coherence. Under Ademola’s leadership as General Evangelist, there lies a crucial opportunity for introspection and potential transformation, reasserting Apostle Babalola’s revivalist inheritance and re-examining the historical and legal frameworks guiding CAC’s leadership.

His role, therefore, is not just that of a preacher or revivalist but also a mediator, historian, and advocate for ecclesiastical coherence. By aligning with Apostle Babalola’s emphasis on prayer, holiness, and divine authority, while also critically engaging with the legal and administrative framework inherited from the 1985 Certificate of Incorporation, he embodies a bridging figure between CAC’s past, present, and future.

To categorise Ademola’s alignment with Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, one must appreciate both his spiritual conviction and his pragmatic approach to church governance. While Apostle Babalola’s ministry was largely charismatic, prophetic, and revival-driven, Ademola’s mission extends into institutional legitimacy, historical inquiry, and leadership structuring. Yet, both figures share a common commitment to upholding the integrity, spiritual authority, and divine mission of CAC.

His active pursuit of truth regarding the CAC Certificate of Incorporation (1985) and the leadership role of the Supreme Council, as highlighted by GEC President Olusheye, is not merely an administrative exercise but a quest for unity, historical justice, and a clearer path forward for CAC Nigeria and Overseas. In this light, his leadership represents a call to revival, not only in spiritual fervency but also in governance, doctrine, and institutional harmony.

In ending this piece, permit me to reflect on the Theology of Revival as indeed a legacy of Apostolic Fire. Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola’s ministry was deeply rooted in the Pentecostal and Apostolic traditions, where revival was seen as a divine intervention that brings renewal, holiness, and a return to God’s original purpose. This aligns with the Biblical pattern of revival, as seen in:

1. Just as the Day of Pentecost:
• Joel 2:28-29 – ”And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.”

• Acts 2:1-4 – The Day of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit empowered the early Church to proclaim the Gospel with boldness.

Apostle Babalola’s revivalist theology underscored the power of prayer, fasting, and holiness as essential ingredients for sustaining an authentic move of God. His call to spiritual discipline, separation from sin, and uncompromising faith remains foundational to CAC’s identity.

Ademola’s emphasis on returning to the ancient landmark reflects a theological continuity with Apostle Babalola’s revivalist heritage. His call to preserve the Apostolic doctrines, uphold holiness, and maintain the fire of evangelism aligns with the Biblical mandate for spiritual renewal. However, the challenge remains: How can a revivalist tradition be sustained within the framework of a structured and legally bound ecclesiastical system?

2. The Theology of Unity: Christ’s Prayer for Oneness
One of the most pressing theological concerns in this discourse is the question of unity in CAC Nigeria and Overseas. The divisions and contestations over the 1985 Certificate of Incorporation and the Supreme Council’s leadership highlight the ecclesiological tensions between spiritual movements and institutional governance.

Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17:20-23 provides a compelling theological framework for unity:

• ”That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
Paul also reinforces this idea in Ephesians 4:3-6, urging believers to ”keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” and reminding the Church that there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism”.

Theologically, unity in the Church is not merely structural but spiritual. While legal frameworks and leadership structures are necessary for governance, true unity must be built on shared doctrinal convictions, love, and a common commitment to the mission of Christ.

Ademola’s inquiry into the historical legitimacy of CAC’s incorporation and leadership structures can be viewed theologically as a pursuit of order and accountability, akin to Paul’s instructions on church governance in 1 Corinthians 14:40 (”Let all things be done decently and in order.”). However, if not handled with wisdom, humility, and a kingdom mindset, such an inquiry could risk deepening existing divisions.

Thus, the theological challenge is clear: How can CAC resolve leadership disputes without compromising its spiritual unity and revivalist identity?

3. The Theology of Church Governance: Balancing Spiritual Authority and Legal Structures:

The controversy surrounding the 1985 Certificate of Incorporation and the Supreme Council’s leadership raises fundamental theological questions about the nature of church authority.

Scripture provides two key models of church governance:

1. The Apostolic Model (Acts 15:1-29) – The early church settled doctrinal and leadership disputes through a council of apostles and elders, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

2. The Shepherding Model (1 Peter 5:1-3) – Church leaders are called to **serve as shepherds, not as lords over the people, but as examples of Christ like humility and service.

The CAC leadership struggle must be approached with a Biblical model of governance, ensuring that leadership authority is not rooted in political manoeuvring but in spiritual calling, integrity, and service to God’s people.
The late GEC President Olusheye’s assertion of the Supreme Council’s role reflects an institutional perspective, seeking to uphold CAC’s legal and administrative legitimacy. In contrast, Ademola’s theological and historical inquiry can be seen as a prophetic call to accountability and faithfulness to CAC’s original mandate.

However, the resolution must reflect the Biblical balance between spiritual authority and administrative order, recognising that a revivalist movement without governance leads to chaos, while rigid legalism without spiritual fire leads to dead formalism.

4. The Way Forward: A Call to Reconciliation and Renewal

From a theological standpoint, the current discourse presents an opportunity for CAC Nigeria and Overseas to realign itself with its divine mandate. A few key principles emerge:

1. A Return to Apostolic Leadership (Acts 6:1-7) – CAC must ensure that its leadership disputes do not hinder its mission. The appointment of Spirit-filled, wise, and godly leaders must take precedence over legal or political considerations.

2. Reconciliation and Healing (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) – The church must prioritise reconciliation over division, engaging in open dialogue where all factions submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

3. Revival with Order (1 Corinthians 14:40) – The church must preserve Apostle Babalola’s spiritual heritage of prayer, holiness, and evangelism while ensuring that legal and governance matters are handled with justice and transparency.
Ademola’s pursuit of historical and spiritual truth must ultimately serve the purpose of fostering unity, doctrinal purity, and revival, rather than being seen as a cause for further division. His role, like that of Nehemiah, should be to ”rebuild the walls” of CAC, restoring both its spiritual fire and administrative integrity.

In conclusion, the current period in CAC Nigeria and Overseas marks a critical juncture for profound reflection and revitalisation. It is essential to uphold Apostle Babalola’s spiritual legacy, prioritise truth and doctrinal integrity for unity, and ensure governance aligns with divine purpose. Ademola must navigate these challenges with a commitment to restoration, guided by the Spirit, the Word, and a genuine concern for the congregation. Together, CAC can rise as a steadfast beacon of revival, harmony, and righteousness in this pivotal era.

Ojo Emmanuel Ademola, a Pastor, Professor, Protestant Theologian and General Evangelist of CAC Nigeria and Overseas, writes from Ibadan