Leadership
The people behind the movement.
Helping Florence Flourish is led by staff, board members, ministry leaders, and volunteers who want to see the Church united for the good of Florence.
Helping Florence Flourish Staff
Serving Florence with prayer, unity, and purpose.
Executive Director
Chris Handley
Chris has been married to Dottie for 40 years. He served in Florence as associate pastor of First Presbyterian for nearly 20 years before taking the Executive Director position of Helping Florence Flourish. Chris’s passion is to see the oneness of Christ’s body and the discipleship of those seeking to follow Jesus.
Community Engagement & Administrative Coordinator
Sydney Sprenger
Sydney is a single mother of a three year old son, KC. Her family worships at Faith Chapel where she serves on the Praise & Worship team. Sydney has a heart to serve the community and has her own nonprofit, Fear To Faith, that walks with young women facing adversity. Sydney is passionate about seeing a young adult revival across Florence and connecting the community to become one.
Board Members
Guiding the mission with wisdom and service.
Christopher Handley
Executive Director of Helping Florence Flourish. Attends Church at Sandhurst.
Email ChrisJoyce Black
Vice President. Associate at the Leatherman Senior Center and member of Savannah Grove Baptist Church.
Email JoyceSonyetta Cooper
Foster parent and teacher. Attends Kingdom Impact Next Generation Worship Center in Timmonsville.
Email SonyettaMichael Hawkins
Former associate athletic director at FMU and attends First Presbyterian Church.
Email MichaelSandra Knight
Chief Operating Officer at WebsterRogers and member of Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
Email SandraConnie Mason
Her vocation has centered around workforce development. She attends Lamb’s Chapel.
Email ConnieMarion Ford
Retired and serves on several local boards. Attends Savannah Grove Baptist Church.
Email MarionLocal Leaders
Generous leaders helping Florence flourish.
Below are local leaders who donate their time and efforts to help see Florence flourish.
Church & Ministry Leaders
Lethonia Barnes • John Collins • Jimmie Deas • Adam Richardson • Calvin Robinson • Louanne Stewart • Wilbert White
HFF Team Members
Chris Canfield • Jeremy Emert • Erik Marechal • Matt Walton • Jai Jai Spann
Focus Group Leaders
John Collins — Education
Jimmie Deas — Focus Group Leader
Bo Myers — Restoration of Family
Network Leaders One Table
Bryan and Jody Ransom
Restoration Calling
Vincent Johnson • Reggie Boston • Tim Fisher
WinShape
Melissa • Jane Heath • Alexis Morris
Faith Active @ Work
Paiden Capps • Merritte Dowdell • Brian Fast • Erik Marechal • Thomas Brown
Discipleship
Mike Lavespere
Want to serve with us?
Helping Florence Flourish exists because people say yes to using their gifts for the good of the city.
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