Apostle (Prophet) Ezekiel Oyediran Oyedele, is a revered 89-year-old man of God, serving as the Apostolic Father and Spiritual Head of the Christ Gospel Apostolic Church (CGAC) worldwide. In this interview with ADEOLA OGUNLADE, he reflects on his ministry journey, his experiences with Prophet Joseph Babalola, the significance of education for pastors, and the upcoming church anniversary.
Can you share with us when you started the ministry?
I was dedicated to the Lord at the age of four in 1940 and was mentored by distinguished men of God, particularly the late Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola and the late Apostle Peter Akinloye Olatunji. Apostle Olatunji later founded CGAC, an offshoot of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in 1947.
In obedience to divine direction, I established a new zone of CGAC, named CGAC (Miracle Center), in March 1996. The church’s zonal headquarters is in Lagos, with over 20 assemblies under it.
The early years of ministry were marked by intense persecution, especially in the late 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. Many of us faced hardships, forsaking family and material comforts for the gospel. We were deeply committed, often neglecting our own well-being. I personally suffered from a wound that refused to heal for four years. I was privileged to be taken to Abule-Osho to pastor a church in 1955, I trekked to Dugbe and I bought what they called Ade-elegbo. I only applied it to my leg in the night when everybody had slept. None of the people in the mission house must smell it because anyone who gave birth outside of the church maternity home, the couple would have their naming ceremony done in the church. Despite the challenges, we remained steadfast. The elders then, though strict, were guided by their understanding of faith. Today, one of my children is a medical doctor, and another is a lecturer, demonstrating the value of education alongside ministry.
Your experience with Prophet Joseph Babalola?
Prophet Joseph Babalola was a man of fervent prayer and extraordinary generosity. He often fasted for extended periods. One remarkable incident I recall is when he laid on stones in front of the church in Efon- Alaye for three days, praying for God’s mercy upon the CAC.
Despite exposure to the sun, he remained steadfast. When I was young, I asked the elders, and they said that he was praying for mercy for the CAC. His deep spirituality left a lasting impact.
Throughout my ministry, I have encountered spiritual battles, often challenging witches and wizards to test whose power is greater. Many witches and wizards who came to challenge the power of God were ultimately humbled by God’s power. My experience with great men of God gave us so much confidence to preach Christ and the power of redemption in dangerous territories. The presence of God was tangible, and holiness was our foundation.
When did you leave the CAC?
We left the CAC in 1947; with the prophet I was placed under. Prophet Peter Olatunji left after a sharp disagreement between the founders of the CAC, and that matter was not resolved, he decided to stand on his own. That led to the establishment of the church, formerly called the Gospel Apostle Church and upon registration in 1963, GAC already existed, and we prayed and thought through the name and we only added Christ which now made it called Christ Gospel Apostolic Church (CGAC). I was ordained the Apostle and President of CGAC on the 1st of November 2014.
What is the place of education for pastors today?
Education is essential for today’s pastors. In my church, we now have a president with a master’s degree, capable of representing us effectively. The gospel remains unchanged, but we must understand the needs of the current generation. We have a different generation now and we have to be mindful of the needs and aspirations of the same generation without watering down the gospel message handed down to us.
Moses was educated and the disciples of Jesus were not as educated but their impact was global. A pastor who is not different from his members or does not have anything significant doing, will remain in the bush. A few years ago, one of our children died in Isolo, Lagos. They were praying for him; I had gone for a follow-up of our members. When I came back, the child had been confirmed dead and I was led by the spirit of God to pray for him, I did not spend up to 20 minutes, and the boy woke up. These incidents led many to Christ and they joined our church. If you are not educated and not making progress, we will throw you into the bush. You can farm there too. The uneducated and unenlightened pastor cannot expect us to bring him to the city. If anyone is sure of God’s call, God will manifest himself, but that does undermine the need for self-improvement. God will always manifest himself. I visited the US some time ago and I met a colleague who is uneducated but has since been in the US because the church over there was less concerned about his prowess but the anointing of God upon his life. He prays for them in his local dialects and God honours his prayers. Pastor Paul Obadare, was a blind man with only form three education, but is so vast in the scriptures that he often quotes the scriptures by heart, and corrects people when they misquote the bible. He was awarded a doctorate from the United States of America. When you are uneducated, you cannot stay with the elites as you will confuse them.
You seemed not to go to school.
I did not go to school
But you speak fairly well in the English Language?
Yes, I have been in ministry since 1940, and I had a Western education, but I kept asking questions and developing myself. I went to the US and the church said they were not interested in how fluent you are, I went to 13 states in the US with churches filled to capacity. I minister Christ to them and the power of the cross moved in a mighty way.
What is your concern about today’s pastors?
It is a sad tale today that some pastors are money-conscious and are so bad that in some churches if you do not give to the church, getting to heaven is not guaranteed. Decades ago, heaven was our major focus. Our hopes were heaven, today, we are world-conscious. Today’s pastor wants to build houses, buy cars and other mundane things. In those days, we were mindful of heaven to the extent that if we conducted services this Sunday, we were not sure of next week’s Sunday because Christ would have come. At that time, we were giving up anything and everything for the work of the kingdom. To some, they are living their lives as if Christ will not return. Jesus is coming back again.
How can Nigeria overcome its present problem?
During my annual prayer dedication in 2025, God gave me a message for Nigeria. The nation faces economic, political, and social challenges, including rising poverty, unemployment, corruption, and inequality. However, God assures us that Nigeria can be restored if we embrace repentance, unity, and progress.
God previously revealed to me the economic hardship that began in 2013 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. Now, he calls the nation to a three-day fasting and prayer from February 24–26, 2025, culminating in our church anniversary on March 2, 2025.
2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” This call to prayer is for all Nigerians, regardless of religion.
