Throughout the 2023-24 academic year, Lancaster Bible College | Capital Seminary & Graduate School will celebrate our 90th anniversary! Here, we introduce our community to “90 Faces of LBC” each week. Keep up with all the news and events of our 90th year, read stories and more at lbc.edu/90.
Americo Matine (’24)
‘God Decided My Life Would be Different’
Mozambique Native Americo Matine Dreams of Opening a Christian School So Children Won’t Have to Experience What He Did
Born in Maputo, Mozambique, Americo Matine (’24) learned about God’s providence when he took a leap of faith to come to the U.S. to learn theology and pursue God’s calling.
From a very young age, Matine experienced difficult situations. His father moved out when Matine was 5 years old, and he became an orphan at the age of 10. Still, as he grew up, he worked in ministry in Maputo, surrounded by people who supported him and his siblings.
For as long as he can remember, Matine wanted to study theology, and through a scholarship, he was able to pursue that dream at LBC. Matine was on his way, but the journey proved to have several obstacles.
“The thing that made it a little bit complicated is that we didn’t make enough money in Mozambique to support our life here in the United States,” said Matine. As a family man, it was worrisome. “As a father [and] as a husband, [it’s hard] not knowing how you’re going to provide for your family.”
Though things are still at times difficult for Matine and his family, he never loses hope in the God who has provided for him. “All of this journey, it’s been God’s provision in my life,” he said. “Being able to bring my wife and children here—God’s provided for our travel, housing, etc.”
In the same way that God has provided for him, Matine now wishes to provide for the children of Mozambique. The Business Administration major’s plans include returning to his birthplace to open a Christian school so those who share his past experiences—or even worse circumstances—don’t have to go through it alone.
“Some of the other kids never had that kind of support or people they could rely on,” Matine said. “God opened a vision in me that I could help other kids see life from a different perspective [and] hopefully, through all the activities we will be developing as part of the ministry, they will find God and their lives will be transformed.”
Matine recognizes that his life wouldn’t be what is today if not for God. “The condition I was born in, my family, my background and the way I ended up, it’s only God’s provision,” he said. “I had everything [in place] for my life to be a disaster, and I’m not in that bad situation now—not because of the choices I made, but because God decided my life would be different.”
Americo’s Mozambique Organization Hosts Disc Golf Fundraiser!
On Nov. 11, Americo’s new organization, Building the Heart ministry, will host a disc golf tournament and fundraiser is to create awareness about the school Americo is planning. The family-friendly event will include corn hole, abounce house, pickleball and two rounds of disc golf along with raffles and prizes. Learn more about the tournament and register here.