Afatchao, Koffi Romaric
Koffi Romaric Afatchao is an International Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, engaged in a two-year term of service.
The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world.
Koffi earned a Bachelor of Science degree in animal biology and physiology at the University of Lomé in Togo. He is especially interested in youth ministry.
“I want to serve as a scholar and give my all for God’s mission,” he said. “As young people, we have a commitment to work for the Lord of the causes and issues facing communities today. The church must act through the engagement of young people to solve problems of social injustice and racism.”
As a Global Mission Fellow, Koffi hopes to use his talents and time “to grow communities as well as organizations and to make a difference in solving issues facing the church and the world,” he said. He looks forward to acquiring new skills and experiences and strengthening his commitment and leadership abilities.
“It is also a way for me to familiarize myself with other cultures, learn new things, be flexible and understand other realities of life and in the ecumenical world,” Koffi said. He is eager to help young people and communities around the world.
“This commitment,” he noted, “also will allow me to make a difference in the cultural diversity of each congregation.” He sees his role as helping youth to understand the gospel as they journey on the path of Christian commitment.
Raised in a Christian family, Koffi was baptized as a young child. He learned the importance and the meaning of the sacrament.
“As I followed the teachings and participated in prayer, praise and worship,” he said, “I came to know Jesus in a different way. This led me to switch from children’s worship to catechism.
“I was confirmed and thus able to participate in the common meal established by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” He joined the youth association in his community, volunteering “to enlarge the kingdom of God on earth.”
Because of Jesus’ presence, Koffi and his family have been blessed.
“I put my trust and my hope [in him], and he never lets me down,” Koffi said. “The Lord is always present, and at each stage of my life, his grace has never ceased to abound and overflow.”
He agrees with Matthew 9:37-38, which reads: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest.”
“There is much to do in the house of the Lord,” Koffi said. “I am of the nature to help, to bring my stone to the building, to work for the accomplishment of the works of the Lord on the earth.
“While we still have the strength,” he added, “we must work before the evening comes when we cannot. I am part of this perspective. I want to work as a Global Mission Fellow to bring my time, my abilities and my talents for the advancement of the work of God by his grace for the glory of his name. Everything we do, we do not for ourselves, but for the glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”