We recently had the chance to connect with Olivia Liu and have shared our conversation below.
Olivia , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I would say that I take the most pride in building my relationship with God.
Arguably, there is fruit and tangible evidence like my nonprofit, 20:24 Ministries, that account for the building of my relationship with the Lord – although the inward heart change and posture toward God are not visible in the way that we typically imagine things being built.
I grew up as a holiday-church goer and did not have a firm foundation in knowing God for myself. Growing up in Atlanta and living in the “Bible-belt”, Christianity and faith were common conversations and often terms that were so casually tossed around.
Throughout the beginning of my young adult life, I had already experienced child abuse and domestic violence. Simultaneously, accomplishing things like finishing high school a year early and graduating college at 19.
It wasn’t until I was 20, where I truly felt as though I understood and felt the saving power of Jesus Christ in my life.
During COVID, I had the Gospel clearly and plainly explained to me. I felt a yearning to learn more about who God was.
I sought advice from people who I trusted that were mature in the faith, continued to read Scripture, and I prayed and went to God for everything.
I felt convicted for things and repented as I went to God and in February 2023, by the grace of God; I was baptized.
I am grateful for God working in my life and in my heart. I am grateful to see the fruit from my relationship with the Lord, and I take immense pride in knowing that God has saved me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Originally from Taipei, Taiwan; I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. I graduated from Barry University in Miami and founded 20:24 Ministries in January of 2024.
20:24 Ministries is a nonprofit serving the homeless community through community outreach and ministry.
We serve the Broward, Miami Dade, and Palm Beach county areas.
Within our inaugural year, we were able to serve 2,096 people, host a scholarship, food insecurity giveaway, and turkey drive.
As we stepped into 2025, our goal was to provide additional resources (in addition to food) to our local community.
We host a monthly giveaway starting in the Downtown Fort Lauderdale area and move to Miami Dade and Palm Beach county as needed.
We have been grateful to receive clothing and shoe donations that have aided in our monthly giveaways as well as partnerships with Panera Bread and Publix.
Through Panera Bread’s End of Day ‘Dough-Nation’ Program, we receive their end of day baked goods which have been donated to our local homeless community as well as given to the Caring Place, a local homeless shelter as well as the Boys and Girls Club of Delray Beach.
We support the work of various organizations within our community and have been blessed to work alongside and partner with many nonprofits and local businesses.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really shaped how I saw the world from an early life or early influence perspective would be the kindness and compassion that I received as a child.
God granted me the ability to have strong mentors in my life that modeled servant leadership and generosity.
I aspire to be able to provide encouragement, wisdom, and the feeling of safety to those in difficult situations, as I know how much receiving these things benefited mine.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
I had a rather unconventional upbringing and lived in, at-times, an unsafe environment. It took me many years to acknowledge that there were many things that I did to adversely avoid conflict, confrontation, and to simply “keep the peace”. My faith in God has given me strength, courage, and resilience.
Maturing in my faith allowed me to go to God with my needs, desires, and pain.
Healing does not happen overnight and the storm will not last forever. I encourage anyone who may be in a difficult place to know that they are not alone.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Someone who I admire for their character and not their power would by my high school mentor, Coach Ford. Serving as a public school educator, Coach Ford has had decades of imparting wisdom, encouragement, and fatherly-love to each child that he has encountered.
I met Coach Ford during my freshman year of high school. Our high school had created a study hall called “advisory” – Coach Ford was my advisor.
During our first meeting, he prompted the class by asking what we hoped to accomplish by the time we graduated. I shared that my goal would be to share my testimony and faith in God.
Throughout the years Coach Ford has become a father-figure, confidant, and sounding board for my young adult life.
I have seen Coach Ford impart this same message of love to each child that he has taught, coached, or even merely seen in the school hallway.
The servant leadership that Coach Ford models through his faith in God is his greatest power.
While this may not be counted as power like being an elected official — granting a child the power to hope, to dream, and to believe in oneself is infinitely greater.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
If I laid down my name, role, and possessions; my faith in God would remain.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://2024ministries.org
- Instagram: 2024ministries
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/liu0livia
Image Credits
Brandon Dasent-Amos
