It happened in September 1928, as Joseph Babalola was travelling from Owena off Igbara Oke to new Ikeji-Arakeji for road maintenance, that the steam roller, which was hitherto in very good condition, abruptly stopped without developing a mechanical fault. As a trained blacksmith and an experienced roller-driver, he made a desperate effort to effect possible repair, but all to no avail. Surprisingly, he single-handedly moved the heavy machine from the centre of the road, off the river Ariran.
From 25th September 1928, he was hale and hearty but was unable to sleep for a week. However, he was feeling very happy singing hymns and reading portions of the scriptures, especially Psalms 1 to 150. On his visit to see the grounded steamroller around midday on the 9th of October, 1928, he thrice heard a deafening sound of a great Voice as loud as the sound of ten thousand barrels put together saying, “Joseph, Joseph, Joseph, leave your present work; otherwise, you would die this year.” It was on this occasion that this man of God received spiritual baptism. This explains why he spoke in tongues at the Revival Crusade of 1930, and was also full of spiritual power to heal and perform miracles. This was before the coming of the white Apostolics in November 1931.
Meanwhile, he was both afraid and confused by the divine directive. So, he did not obey the Voice immediately. But on the third day, 11th October 1928, the Voice came to him with a more compelling force, saying that if he did not obey the directive, the roller would never work again and that he would die. In response, he enquired who it was that was calling him and for what? The Voice then replied that He (the Lord) would send him on a mission to the world. He promised to empower him if he obeyed Him. The voice was not audible to those around. The three palm fronds which he had stuck to the ground to provide shade while repairing the roller constituted an acted parable: One was still fresh; the second was half dry; the third was completely dry. All indicating the reward of people’s reactions to the new message.
As a Public Works Department (PWD) worker, he used Ipetu-Jesa as a base, covering other towns in Ikeji, Igbara-Oke and Akure. After his encounter with the Lord, his landlord’s son, and also his old friend at Abeokuta, noticed that Joseph Babalola was somewhat disturbed. He therefore directed him to one Joseph Fapohunda, a popular prophet in that locality for necessary counselling. That man of God confirmed Joseph Babalola’s call as God-ordained and that he should accept the call. Thereafter, he and that prophet became prayer partners, occasionally resorting to ‘Oleshi hill’ at Ikeji Arakeji, where the Lord increased his spiritual power. At this stage, Joseph Babalola formally resigned from his appointment with his employer (PWD).
Excerpt from the book “Christ Apostolic Church @ 90 (1918-2008)” authored by Pastor Joshua Adeware Alokan.
