5 CAC Pioneers Who Fanned Revival Flames in Nigeria

October 11, 2025 OLAOLUWA AYOMIDE

Across Nigeria’s spiritual landscape, few movements have left as deep and lasting an imprint as the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC).

From humble beginnings in mountain revivals and prayer gatherings, CAC’s story is inseparable from the lives of extraordinary men who walked closely with God.

These were more than pastors or preachers, they were heroes of faith, pioneers who carried divine fire into towns and villages, transforming them into centers of holiness, prayer, and spiritual renewal.

Today, we revisit five such heroes whose faith and obedience helped shape both the spiritual and social fabric of Nigeria: Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, Pastor D.O. Odusona, Prophet David Olulana Babajide, Pastor Samuel G. Adegboyega, and Pastor E.T. Latunde.

Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola – The Man Who Awakened a Nation

When you speak of revival in Nigeria, one name stands tallest: Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola. Born in 1904 in Odo-Owa, Kwara State, his life story is marked by obedience, power, and divine calling.

In 1928, while working as a steamroller operator, Babalola heard the unmistakable voice of God beside a mountain in Akure.

This encounter launched one of the greatest spiritual awakenings in African history. Armed with nothing but a bell and a message of repentance, he traveled to towns like Efon-Alaye, Ilesa, and Oke-Bola, boldly proclaiming the power of Jesus Christ to heal and restore.

The revival exploded in 1930 at Oke-Oye, Ilesa, where thousands witnessed miracles, the blind seeing, the lame walking, and demonic strongholds shattered. Hospitals emptied as crowds flocked to the crusade grounds.

Beyond the miracles, Babalola’s message rekindled the fear of God and holiness across Yoruba towns. His impact transformed places like Ikeji-Arakeji into sacred sites of prayer, sparking a nationwide hunger for revival that continues to burn today.

He didn’t just start a church; he ignited a spiritual movement that continues to shape Nigeria’s Christian identity.

Pastor D.O. Odusona – The Builder and Bridge of CAC Revival

While Apostle Babalola sparked the fire, Pastor D.O. Odusona gave it form and structure. Known for steady leadership and a deep understanding of Scripture, Odusona helped institutionalize the revival, ensuring its sustainability for generations.

As General Superintendent of CAC, he emphasized discipline, integrity, and doctrinal soundness. Under his leadership, the church expanded in cities like Ibadan, Abeokuta, and Ilesa, with new assemblies and Bible training schools emerging.

Oduson was also a mentor, raising ministers who carried the message of holiness into every corner of Nigeria.

Thanks to his leadership, CAC evolved from a spontaneous revival into a structured, Spirit-filled denomination. His influence continues to shape pastors and believers across the nation and beyond.

Prophet David Olulana Babajide – The Seer of Holiness and Prayer

Prophet David Olulana Babajide was a man marked by profound prayer, discernment, and holiness. Born in 1908, he became one of CAC’s most revered prophetic voices.

His ministry thrived in towns like Ede, Ilesa, Ibadan, and Oke-Igbala, where his intercessory and prophetic prayers brought revival to individuals, families, and communities. Babajide led intense prayer bands that sometimes fasted and travailed for days, crying out for souls and spiritual awakening.

Read Also: Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola: The Revival That Shook CAC

What set him apart was his combination of prophetic precision, humility, and deep holiness. He taught that purity of heart is the true key to unlocking God’s power.

Through his life and ministry, countless Nigerians rediscovered the power of personal consecration and prevailing prayer. His teachings remain an enduring part of CAC’s spiritual DNA.

Babajide’s legacy reminds believers that revival begins on our knees and that prayer is the secret to divine restoration.

Pastor Samuel G. Adegboyega – The Faithful Shepherd and Builder

Pastor Samuel Gbadebo Adegboyega was both a leader and a builder of people and systems. A former Nigerian Railway worker, he encountered the Apostolic Faith Mission in Lagos and became a key pioneer in the movement that birthed CAC.

His work in Agege and Ibadan laid the foundation for assemblies that remain today. Adegboyega was known for discipline, pastoral care, and administrative excellence, helping to stabilize the church through times of growth and challenge.

He fostered unity between CAC and Apostolic churches in Britain and Ghana, promoting training, missions, and spiritual cooperation.

Adegboyega’s influence extended beyond the pulpit—he championed education, character development, and community upliftment, transforming parts of Lagos into hubs of Christian growth and social progress.

His name lives on through the CAC Adegboyega Memorial, a lasting tribute to a man whose faith built both people and places.

Pastor E.T. Latunde – The Voice of Order and Revival Fire

Pastor Emmanuel T. Latunde combined deep spirituality with organizational vision. Known for humility and passion for prayer, he was a vital voice in the post-Babalola era, ensuring that revival fire burned with order and balance.

Latunde helped expand CAC’s mission fields into Northern and Eastern Nigeria, championing evangelism among youths and students. His ministry inspired a new generation of preachers carrying the message of holiness and prayer into schools and cities.

He famously said that revival and structure must coexist—without order, fire burns out; without fire, structure becomes lifeless. This philosophy guided his leadership and helped CAC remain vibrant and biblically grounded.

His legacy endures in communities like Owo, Ibadan, and Lagos, where the churches he nurtured still stand as beacons of faith and renewal.

A Legacy That Still Speaks

These five heroes of the Christ Apostolic Church didn’t just preach—they reshaped Nigeria’s spiritual destiny.

Towns like Ilesa, Efon-Alaye, Odo-Owa, Agege, and Ede transformed into centers of prayer, holiness, and divine visitation.

They built communities grounded in morality, discipline, and the fear of God. The mountains where they prayed, the schools they founded, and the revivals they led continue to testify of a God who restores all things.

As the Week of the Heroes of Faith reminds us, their stories are not merely history; they are living calls to return to the ancient paths of holiness, faith, and revival. The God of our fathers still works wonders today, raising new men and women to bring restoration to this generation.