Melissa Gendreau | Christian Speaker

When you bring me in to speak, your audience will experience a warm, authentic, and engaging speaker who feels more like a trusted friend and wise mentor than a distant expert on stage.

You’ll see someone who is:

- Relatable and real — I share my own story of growing up as a shy, insecure girl in small-town Iowa and how God transformed my life.
- Biblically grounded — Every message is rooted deeply in Scripture while remaining practical and applicable to everyday life.
- Clinically informed — With 16+ years as a licensed mental health counselor, I bring professional depth and real tools without sounding clinical or overly academic.
- Interactive and hope-filled — Audiences are engaged through stories, reflection prompts, practical takeaways, and gentle humor. People leave feeling encouraged, equipped, and closer to God.

What clients and event planners get when they hire me:

- A professional, prepared speaker who shows up ready to serve your group with excellence.
- Messages that combine biblical truth, real-life stories, and actionable strategies your people can apply immediately.
- A flexible communicator who adjusts to your audience — whether it’s a women’s event, marriage night, church retreat, or conference.

Someone who genuinely cares about the impact. My goal is always transformation, not just inspiration.

Your attendees will walk away with renewed hope, a clearer identity in Christ, practical tools for their marriage or personal growth, and a fresh vision for thriving God’s way.

I deliver keynotes with warmth and energy, and interactive workshops with guided discussions and journaling prompts that help people process and apply what they’re learning in real time.

Hi, I’m Melissa Gendreau — a licensed mental health counselor with 16+ years of experience, a Christian coach, a wife, a mom, and the founder of Forward Path. I help Christian women and couples heal their identity in Christ, build humble confidence, and thrive in God-honoring marriages.

Growing up in small-town Iowa, I was the quiet, insecure girl who avoided the spotlight. But God has a way of transforming our stories. Through my own journey and years walking with clients through pain, identity struggles, anxiety, depression, and marriage challenges, I’ve discovered how powerfully God redeems our past and designs us for more.

My signature keynote, “4 Ways to Find God in Your Past,” guides audiences through a Scripture-rich journey to:

- Recognize God’s presence even in painful seasons
- Heal identity wounds and replace lies with biblical truth
- Develop humble confidence that honors God
- Apply that healing to create deeper joy and unity in marriage

I also speak on additional topics, including:

Identifying barriers to growth (insecurities, emotional immaturity, negative core beliefs)
Partnering with God to build humble confidence
Premarital preparation
Boundaries in Marriage
The 100% Marriage Model (moving beyond 50/50)

Whether it’s a women’s event, marriage conference, church retreat, MOPS group, or faith-based gathering, I deliver relatable, practical, and hope-filled messages that combine real-life stories, biblical truth, and actionable tools. My goal is simple: help Christians move from surviving to truly thriving God’s way.

I’ve spoken at churches across Iowa, led workshops on emotions in marriage, depression, parenting teens, and more, and have been a guest on several podcasts. I bring warmth, authenticity, and clinical depth to every stage I stand on.
Available for keynotes (45–60 min), interactive workshops (90–120 min), and full retreats. I travel up to 200 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA. I'm also available for virtual events.

Let’s partner together to create a transformative experience for your group. I’d love to speak at your next event!

I keep my technical needs very simple and flexible so I can focus on delivering a meaningful message to your audience.

Technical Requirements:

- I will bring my own laptop and need to connect it to your projector or screen (HDMI connection preferred).
- I use a simple PowerPoint/Keynote presentation with Scripture, and images to support the teaching.
- A basic sound system with a wireless lavalier microphone (or handheld) is ideal so I can move naturally while speaking.
- I do not need special lighting — standard room lighting works well.

Other Details:

- Setup time needed: 15–20 minutes before the event.
- I’m happy to work with whatever AV setup you have available. If there are any limitations, just let me know in advance and I’ll adjust accordingly.
- For workshops or longer sessions, a screen or monitor that the audience can clearly see is very helpful.

I’m easy to work with and focused on making the event successful for you and your attendees. Feel free to reach out with any questions about setup!