Questions that Change Lives

jeremykoffi
Oct 5
3 min read

By Ettien Koffi, Chair of CATA

Socrates taught by asking open-ended questions. He did not invent this method. God did. Throughout the Bible, God asks questions that invite reflection and obedience. Three such questions have shaped my life and are shaping the future of the Anyi people. Their answers summarize CATA’s expanding mission.

1) “How can they hear without someone preaching to them?”

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” — Romans 10:14 (NIV)

The Greek verb often translated “preach” is kērussō, which can also be translated “publish.” My answer to this question unfolded over twenty-five years: translating the New Testament into Anyi. The work began in 1991 and the Anyi New Testament was dedicated in 2017.

This school year I am on sabbatical from St. Cloud State University to revise the Anyi New Testament for publication in 2027.

2) “What good is a translation if no one can read it?”

Six years into the translation, this question led to the launch of an Anyi literacy program in 1997. In 2027 we will celebrate thirty years of Anyi literacy.

At least 15,000 Anyi readers can now read the New Testament.
Over the past five years, adult evening classes have averaged 4,000 students annually.
Classes are now held in 85 of the 117 Anyi villages in Côte d’Ivoire.

3) “How are you discipling those who can read?”

If people can read but lack discipleship, how will the Kingdom of God advance among the Anyi? Three efforts are answering this need in parallel:

Christian Discipleship TrainingHeld every trimester in one of four villages on a rotating basis.

Daily Devotionals on RadioFor the past five years, daily devotionals have aired twice a day on Radio Moronou and once a day on Radio Fréquence Vie.

Anyi Writers’ WorkshopsSince 2023, CATA has hosted Writers’ Workshops at our campus in Côte d’Ivoire to train competent writers. Sixty-three writers are currently attending. From this group, I hope to recruit fifteen candidates for the Anyi Bible Institute opening in 2027. These trained laypeople will receive Bible-based training so they can preach, write, and teach God’s Word competently and confidently in Anyi across village churches.

Progressive Revelation

My answers to these questions have come over time. God did not overwhelm me by revealing everything at once. Instead, he has guided me step by step, inviting faithful responses to each question. As we follow his lead, his plans for the Anyi people continue to unfold. What an awesome teacher our God is.

CATA: Anyi Literacy, Translation, and Training

Update — September 2025

Brou, Ambroise, Ettien, Aka-Jacques, Yable, and the national CATA team

Future Milestones for 2027

By the grace of God, we plan to:

Release the revised edition of the Anyi New Testament.
Celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the Anyi Literacy Project.
Hold the graduation ceremony for the first cohort of Anyi writers.
Launch the Anyi Bible Institute.

We are also planning a group trip to Côte d’Ivoire from the United States to celebrate these milestones. If the Lord is tugging at your heart to join, please reach out with your interest to Ettien or Kim Koffi — cataaltt@gmail.com

Pickleball Tournament — November 15, Sartell, MN

CATA is organizing a pickleball tournament to raise funds for Anyi Literacy, Translation, and Training and to introduce friends and acquaintances to this ministry among the Anyi people of Côte d’Ivoire.

When: Saturday, November 15, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Sartell Community Center, 850 19th St S, Sartell, MN 56377

Players of all levels are welcome. Registration details will be posted at www.anyiliteracy.org in late September or early October. Not a player but want to support the effort? Consider donating $40 — the entry fee — or multiples of $40.

Praise and Prayers

Praise God for Ettien’s safe and fruitful trip to Côte d’Ivoire this summer, including productive meetings with local leaders such as the Moronou County Board.
Praise God for the enthusiasm the Writers’ Workshops are generating among participants.
With gratitude, we thank all who pray and give so that God’s Kingdom advances among the Anyi people.

Get Involved

Donate online: visit www.anyiliteracy.org and click “Donate.”Prefer to mail a gift? Send to CATA, 10293 41st Pl NE, St. Michael, MN 55376.
Follow along: find us at www.anyiliteracy.org and on Facebook and Instagram under CATA: Anyi Literacy, Translation, and Training.
Contact: cataaltt@gmail.com for questions.
Stay updated: send us email addresses for all adults in your household to receive timely updates at cataaltt@gmail.com.
Share: after you read this, please pass it along to a friend.