Degni, Aka Henri Joel

Aka Henri Joel Degni is an international Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, engaged in a two-year term of service.

A member of City of Grace United Methodist Church in Koumassi, related to the Côte d’Ivoire Annual Conference, Aka is involved in scouting, the communications department and the church band. 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.

“At first,” he said, “my growth [as a Christian] was not easy because since my teenage years, I had a spiritual turbulence – namely, lack of prayer life, fasting and consecration. I was doing several things that took me away from the presence of God.

“For several years,” Aka continued, “my spiritual growth has really taken off. Prayer, meditation and fasting have become my new friends. I can serve God in my life.”

He also serves God in the community, especially at the youth level. “I am one of the spiritual leaders of the youth,” Aka said, “and I can only bless the name of God.” In his congregation, he leads a cell group with his spiritual trainer.

Aka feels called to mission work, he explained, because “I must respond to the instruction that God has asked – to go and make disciples of all nations and to respond to God’s call on my life. I am passionate about the work of the Lord.” He wants to do more to make an impact on current and future generations.

Aka is excited about becoming a missionary. “To take care of others, to help others,” he said, “are the good values to cultivate as a child of God because the Bible says that there is more happiness in giving than in receiving.”

He is especially eager to use his skills in language (French), multimedia design and photography in his new role with Global Ministries.