Matthew Linehan, a U.S. Army veteran and co-founder of Men in Christ Global Ministries, has announced the release of his debut Christian nonfiction book, Free Indeed: The Seven Keys to Unlock Your Freedom. The book, published by Lucid Books, details Linehan's journey from nearly three decades of drug and alcohol addiction to a life transformed by faith in Jesus Christ.
Linehan's struggles began in the wake of his father's suicide, leading to years of addiction, brokenness, and spiritual darkness. In January 2015, a pivotal encounter with Jesus Christ changed everything. Since then, he has dedicated his life to helping others find the same healing and restoration he experienced.
"After nearly 30 years of addiction, I encountered Jesus Christ and was completely set free," Linehan said. "I wrote this book because I want people to know that no matter how long they have struggled, freedom is still possible."
The book introduces seven biblical principles that Linehan credits with breaking the strongholds in his life. It addresses issues such as addiction, shame, fear, and destructive patterns, making it a resource for individuals in bondage as well as their families, ministry leaders, and caregivers.
The material for the book was initially developed as a curriculum that Linehan and his wife, Emily, taught at a large church in Houston, Texas. Seeing the impact of biblical teaching and authentic discipleship on people's lives, Linehan combined the curriculum with his personal testimony to create the book.
"I believe this book is different because I lived it, walked it out, and came through the other side to talk about it," Linehan said. "These principles are not theories to me. They are biblical truths that transformed my life."
Though friends and family had long encouraged him to write his story, Linehan began seriously working on the book around 2020. The process required persistence and organization, especially as he navigated the challenges of ADHD, but his purpose remained clear: to offer hope.
"If readers take away only one thing from this book, I want it to be hope," Linehan said. "Freedom is not reserved for a select few, and no one is too broken, too ashamed, or too far gone to experience the transforming power of God's grace."
Linehan is a 2018 graduate of the Lakewood Church Pastoral Care Internship and previously served as a men's ministry director at a large church in the Katy, Texas, area. Today, he continues to minister through men's ministry, mentorship, pastoral care, discipleship, and public speaking, while living in Taipei, Taiwan, with his wife and daughter.
The book is published by Lucid Books, a Houston-based hybrid publisher that partners with authors to help them inspire, inform, and enrich readers' lives.
