Dr. Michele Morgan, described by her devoted husband, ABWE missionary John R. Morgan, as “a loving wife and mother, a faithful missionary, an exemplary pastor’s wife, a nurse, a nurse practitioner, and an international leader in cross-cultural medical missions,” entered the presence of her Savior on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, after a faithful battle with neurological illness. She was 69 years old.
Michele was appointed as a missionary with ABWE on July 20, 1983. She and John began their service in southern Togo, where they ministered through church planting and medical outreach. Over the course of her more than 40 years of service with ABWE, Michele led more than 30 short-term medical teams to 19 countries, bringing both medical care and the hope of the gospel to underserved people groups, refugees, and those affected by crisis. Her ministry took her to Ukraine, Papua New Guinea, Nepal, the Middle East, and beyond. In recent years, she served from ABWE’s International Headquarters, most recently in the Training and Resources department under Theological Education.
A Doctor of Nursing Practice and certified Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Michele was known not only for her clinical skill but also for her compassion, humility, and deep faith. Her ministry was marked by a love for people, a commitment to excellence, and a heart for equipping others to serve well.
In 2022, Michele was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Disorder (FTD) and, later, ALS. As the illness progressed, she lost her ability to speak, walk, and eventually swallow. Her husband, John, served as her full-time caregiver, walking beside her in love and faithfulness.
Their daughter, Dani‑Rae Morgan Strohminger, wrote in 2023 during Michele’s battle, “I miss my mother. Who she was . . . [h]er love for others, her joy and kindness, and most of all for how she has touched so many.”
John wrote in 2024, “Biblical lament doesn’t remove the pain or answer the question of why this is happening, but it does reorient our focus. Who will we trust? Who will we follow? . . . Our allegiance rests in Christ and the hope of the resurrection.”
Michele was the recipient of multiple ABWE honors, including the Bomm Award in 2018 for 35 years of service. She was deeply respected by her colleagues and loved by the many she mentored and served.
She is survived by her husband, their children, and a global circle of friends, coworkers, and fellow believers. Please join us in prayer for John, the family, all who have known and loved Michele.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints (Psalm 116:15).
