Angola is the largest country in southern Africa and one of only a handful of Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa. It is home to amazing national parks, waterfalls, and varying topography. Interestingly, almost half of the population is under age 14 (opposed to 18% in the United States). For 27 years, the country suffered great loss of life from civil war and has been at peace for only 21 years.
Graciano and Angola
Shelley Pearson • Apr 18, 2023
Angola is one of 19 countries that make up southern Africa. It is also where Graciano, one of our newest FCA teammates, does ministry. Graciano is married to Elizabeth (who he and the kids affectionately refer to as “The Queen”), and they have three kids:
- Yoleli (12) – His name means “Celebration” in Graciano’s mother tongue of Umbundu
- Nlungue (10) – His name means “Winner”
- Aletheia (6) – Her name means “True”
When Graciano was five, his family wanted to get away from the war and moved south from Huambo to Lubango near the border of Namibia. Five tribes make up the 800,000-person population, with additional aboriginal tribes living in the surrounding bush and mountains.

Graciano grew up in a Christian home where he regularly heard about God’s love and his need for a Savior, but it was not until he was 14 years old that he made what he refers to as a “deep decision” to become a follower of Christ. His father discipled him and taught him that he didn’t have to DO anything to earn anything from God but that he would WANT to serve people. Graciano has been serving others ever since.
He spent some time in church ministry and many years with an international Christian youth ministry (at the time of his departure, he was the national director). Over the years, he had different opportunities to participate in sports ministry and sensed the Lord nudging him in that direction even though, in Angola, sports are often seen to conflict with faith because of how often sports interfere with Sunday worship. People are often forced to choose sports or faith, and sports are looked down upon by the Church. Graciano saw a tremendous opportunity to bring sport and faith together and started doing sports ministry full-time with the international youth ministry.
A Long Journey to FCA
He first heard about FCA in 2010 when he met a couple staff members at a sports leadership school in South Africa. He attended a conference in Orlando the following year where FCA debuted the Coaches Bible and shared their 2010 Ministry Report. Fast forward to 2017, Graciano knew he needed to partner with an established sports ministry in order to really make progress. He remembered the FCA Bibles and connected with FCA’s Global Field Office who then connected him with Vincent, FCA’s South Global VP over Africa. After two years of onboarding with FCA, he finally became an official teammate in 2022.
Vincent visited Graciano in early 2023. Graciano was accustomed to visits with his previous ministry, but he was not accustomed to this type of visit. Vincent told Graciano that he came to get to know him. Graciano said, “It was a surprise for me because before people were interested only in the work, not in me. They would come to visit me just to check what I am doing, not for fellowship. I was feeling very alone before, and now I don’t feel alone in the process. That is why it is very joyful to be with FCA.”
A God-Sized Vision for Angola
Graciano has two primary dreams for Angola. One is to reach coaches and athletes in all 18 cities near him. He is currently working in five cities through the avenues of volleyball, soccer, dodgeball, inline skating, and skateboarding. The schools are open to them doing sports ministry, which continues to open more doors for the Gospel to go forth.
Graciano’s second goal is to build a sports center on a 20-acre property he owns. This would be a place where they can gather athletes for practice, instruction, vocational guidance, and discipleship. It will also serve as the location for Sunday services for young people who do not go to any church. In addition, he wants to meet a physical need of the community by providing clean water at the facility. He said, “It is the place where we see God changing lives.”
Lives Impacted
Graciano has a great desire to see many lives changed and is encouraged with every individual story he sees. He came across a boy on the streets with a homemade ball four years ago. He took a picture of him and began working with him. Recently, the boy came to him and said, “Uncle Graciano, can I have that picture that you took of me so I can remember where I was five years ago and where I am now?” This is a picture of why Graciano serves each day. He said, “The biggest thing to see is one of the kids I’ve been working with for five years is still faithful because of the love we show to them.”
He is also excited about the impact he can make on coaches. He shared about one coach who couldn’t see how faith and sport intersect. He felt like if he shared the Gospel, people would run. Graciano was able to teach him that by modeling his life after Christ, his players would see Jesus in him and want Him themselves. Today, Graciano meets with this coach daily to consider situations that come up in coaching. Together they wrestle through the question, “What Would Jesus Do?”
Minnesota’s Influence
When asked what a difference it makes to have Minnesota support him through the strategy of Pray, Give, Go, he said, “I can always feel that people are praying for me and what we are doing. When I see things happen very easily, like when I see doors open for ministry and I’m connecting with key people in the government so we can have access to facilities. I feel that people are praying for me. That impact – no words can express the impact of that.”
In addition, Graciano has a long way to go to meet his funding needs. His wife teaches at a seminary, and they have cows, chickens, and pigs as sources of income as well. Some of our Minnesota FCA staff are supporting him monthly as well. Would you consider joining his team of financial supporters through a monthly or special gift? You can give at https://my.fca.org/gracianoviliengue. His budget is much smaller than a staff member’s budget here, so every amount, no matter how small, makes a tremendous difference for Graciano.
We are excited to see our partnership and relationship with Graciano grow as we continue to walk with him in ministry through praying, giving, and going (and as he visits Minnesota in May!).
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