Story & Lesson Highlights with Flore François of Grayson

Flore François shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Flore, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something outside of work that has been bringing me great joy lately is spending intentional time in nature. I find deep fulfillment in hiking through the mountains, taking in the beauty of waterfalls, and breathing in the stillness that only the outdoors can offer. Exploring new trails allows me to recharge both mentally and spiritually. I also enjoy staying active by participating in local races, which not only challenge me physically but also connect me to a vibrant and supportive community.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Flore François. I am a certified coach, ordained minister, chaplain, and mental health professional devoted to helping others flourish through life’s transitions. I bring over 20 years of experience in the clinical research field, which has shaped my deep understanding of both science and the human spirit. As the founder of Flourish Coaching and the author of Believing Bigger, I empower women to rise above grief, loss, and life challenges and walk confidently in their God-given purpose. What sets my work apart is the way I blend clinical insight, spiritual wisdom, and lived experience to guide others toward healing and personal growth. I am currently expanding my platform through books, coaching programs, and events that inspire transformation and faith in every season. My journey from personal loss and moments of uncertainty to becoming a voice of encouragement for women across the globe fuels my passion to serve with purpose and compassion.

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 part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that has served its purpose and must now be released is the version of myself that felt the need to prove my worth through perfection and performance. For much of my early life, I believed that striving, overachieving, and saying yes to everything would earn me acceptance and validation. That mindset may have helped me survive and achieve early success, but it also kept me in cycles of burnout and self-doubt. I have learned that true peace comes not from proving myself but from embracing who I am in Christ, flawed yet fully loved and chosen. Releasing that old version of me has opened the door to rest, clarity, and a deeper sense of purpose rooted in grace, not pressure.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the defining wounds of my life was experiencing the deep pain of losing my husband, followed by the heartbreak of a divorce that tested me even further. As a woman of faith and a minister, I carried the silent weight of grief, disappointment, and shame while still showing up for others. Another wound was the feeling of unworthiness that came from my early years as an immigrant, believing that my voice and story did not matter. Healing came through surrender, therapy, prayer, and allowing myself to feel and process the pain rather than suppress it. It was in those vulnerable moments with God that I began to rebuild, not just my life, but my identity. Today, those wounds have become wellsprings of compassion, wisdom, and strength that allow me to walk with others through their darkest valleys and remind them that healing is possible.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the most painful yet transformative revelations in my journey has been confronting the reality of church hurt, wounds inflicted not by the world but by those within the body of Christ. It is deeply disheartening to witness how the very place meant to be a refuge for healing, restoration, and grace can sometimes become a source of oppression, judgment, and silence.

There is a hypocrisy in ministry that often goes unaddressed: the preaching of love, inclusion, and humility while simultaneously enabling favoritism, control, and silence around abuse and injustice. For many women in ministry, including myself, the pain is compounded by misogyny and a subtle yet persistent belief that our voice, leadership, or calling somehow holds less value. Too often, women are expected to serve quietly, forgive endlessly, and never challenge what is clearly wrong. We are taught to shrink ourselves in the name of submission even when God is calling us to stand up and speak out.

As a woman in ministry, I have encountered spiritual manipulation, pressure, invalidation, and language rooted in control rather than compassion. These tactics sought to suppress my identity, question my legitimacy, and challenge my spiritual journey. I was left defending my identity, my training, my denomination, and my divine assignment instead of being embraced, supported, or celebrated. It is painful to pour out with excellence and integrity while constantly having to prove that you belong in rooms God already assigned you to.

It is even more heartbreaking when leaders praise your gifts but only value them when they serve their agenda. They want your anointing but not your authority. They celebrate your service but suppress your voice. False humility is praised while bold faith is labeled rebellion. You are told to wait your turn, to sit down, to keep quiet, all under the guise of being humble. But God never called us to be silent when truth needs to be spoken. He did not anoint us just to be useful. He anointed us to be impactful.

But healing begins with truth. And the truth is, the Church must do better. We cannot afford to spiritualize dysfunction or hide behind titles while souls are wounded in the pews and at the pulpit. I believe in a Church that reflects Christ, not just in word but in posture, power, and practice. A Church where women are honored, not hidden. Where leadership is accountable, not untouchable. And where healing is possible, even after betrayal.

My work today is rooted in helping others find restoration beyond the hurt. I guide women to rediscover their worth, reclaim their voice, and walk in purpose even if it means healing from what was meant to help them. Because the truth is that God’s love is greater than human failure, and His calling is still valid even when the Church gets it wrong.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had 10 years left, I would immediately stop second-guessing myself and playing small to make others comfortable. I would no longer delay dreams out of fear of judgment or wait for perfect conditions to pursue what God has placed in my heart. I would stop pouring into spaces that drain me and investing in relationships that do not honor who I am or where I am going. Time is precious, and I would focus fully on legacy by living boldly, loving deeply, and leaving a mark of faith, healing, and purpose for the next generation.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @officialflore
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pastorflorefrancois
• Twitter: @officialflore
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FloreMusicOfficial/