In November 1984, Dr. Florence met a young boy who had dropped out of school due to mental health challenges. His struggles stirred something deep within her—a calling she could no longer ignore. This experience opened her eyes to the great need around her. She sensed that God was leading her toward a greater purpose. She prayed for a heart on fire for evangelism—and God answered. He made it clear that her medical training would be used for His glory, serving those in need.
As she pursued further education, she completed a master’s program in public health through the German development agency and joined the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF). This season was instrumental in shaping her skills in project management and international organizational leadership. While still at AMREF, she attended a unique training conference in Mombasa, Kenya, where she and three other facilitators trained thirty church leaders from the coastal region. These leaders were equipped to address both physical health and spiritual well-being in their communities.
The Birth of Life In Abundance
On Sunday, April 18, 1993, while praying at the beach, God called Dr. Florence to establish a Christian health organization that He would use—starting with Ethiopia. The vision was clear: a ministry committed to a wholistic approach that would extend across Africa, transforming lives through both physical and spiritual healing. Rooted in John 10:10, the ministry would reflect Christ’s promise:
“I have come that they may have life, and have it in abundance.”
From the very beginning, the mission was to serve the poor through the local church, equipping leaders and communities to bring lasting change. It was a call to declare God’s glory among the nations, just as Psalm 96:3 commands: “Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all people.”
Dr. Florence stepped fully into this calling in 1995, marking the beginning of Life In Abundance’s unfolding ministry. In those early years, the work in Ethiopia grew—walking alongside local churches, empowering communities, and building a sustainable foundation for transformation. As the model proved effective, the vision expanded beyond Ethiopia, opening doors for greater impact.
Then, on Wednesday, April 17, 2002, Life In Abundance International was legally incorporated as a nonprofit in the U.S., further expanding the reach of this God-ordained mission. What began as a faithful step of obedience had now grown into a movement, serving nations and generations through wholistic transformation.
And from that moment on, God has continued to move—opening doors, expanding the work, and transforming lives. And this was only the beginning.
