The remarkable ministry of Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, one of the most prominent figures in Nigeria’s Pentecostal history, traces its origin to a dramatic divine encounter in October 1928.
On October 9, 1928, at about noon, Babalola was operating a steamroller near the River Ariran when he heard a mighty voice from heaven, like thunder, calling his name three times: “Joseph! Joseph!! Joseph!!! Leave this job you are doing; if not, this year you are going to be cut off from the earth.”
Two days later, on October 11, while attempting to repair the machine, the voice came again, instructing him to abandon the work and begin to preach. That moment marked the beginning of a life devoted to fasting, prayer, and obedience to God’s call.
Soon after, he was commanded to return to his hometown to warn the people against idolatry, fetish practices, and evil works. According to his testimony, the Spirit directed him to rub ashes on his face, carry palm leaves, and ring a bell as he entered the town. He was to proclaim that unless they repented, destruction would come.
As he obeyed and rang the bell round the community, fear gripped the town. People fled at the sight of him. Instead of repenting, however, many rose against him. He was beaten, and his family suffered intense persecution. The townspeople armed themselves with guns and cutlasses in preparation for an invasion of wild beasts.
But God sent another message through His servant: beasts would not come again; instead, an epidemic would strike within forty-five days.
Exactly as foretold, smallpox broke out at the end of the forty-five days. Within three weeks, about 300 people reportedly died. Yet those who repented and those who sought prayers from Babalola after being infected were spared.
Controversy continued to follow the young revivalist. He was eventually sent out of the Anglican Church in his village after unusual spiritual manifestations began among members — visions, speaking in tongues, and intense prayers.
In November 1929, he joined the Faith Tabernacle Church and was baptized in the Lagos Lagoon in December of the same year. The revival fire intensified.
In September 1930, the ministry reportedly witnessed the raising of a dead child. Within three weeks, testimonies multiplied — about 100 lepers healed, 60 blind receiving sight, and 50 lame walking. The move of God became so overwhelming in Ilesa that many church buildings were deserted as people hurried to the revival meetings. Patients at the Wesley Hospital were said to have left their beds in search of divine healing.
Thus began the historic Great Revival of 1930, drawing multitudes from across Nigeria, Africa, and even the diaspora — long before the era of posters, radio, or television publicity.
Babalola became known for his strong messages on repentance, renouncing idols, prayer, fasting, and the healing power of God. After a later division within the Apostolic movement around 1940, he aligned with the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), where he continued in evangelism and revival until his passing.
Today, CAC honors him as an apostle and regards his ministry as the foundation of the church. A major retreat center stands at Ikeji-Arakeji in Osun State, near the area connected to his divine call in 1928.
The life of Apostle Ayo Babalola remains one of obedience, power, persecution, and extraordinary revival in the history of Christianity in Nigeria.
