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 the biblical principles that Linehan credits with transforming his life after nearly three decades of addiction to drugs and alcohol.
Linehan's journey to freedom began after a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ in January 2015. His struggles with addiction stemmed from the grief of his father's suicide when Linehan was young. The book, which combines personal testimony with Scripture-based teaching, aims to help readers struggling with addiction, shame, fear, and other forms of spiritual or emotional bondage, as well as the families and caregivers supporting them.
"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. There is hope, and there is a way forward."
The book introduces seven biblical principles that Linehan developed while teaching the "Free Indeed" curriculum at a large church in Houston, Texas, with his wife, Emily. Seeing the impact of authentic discipleship on people's lives, Linehan combined the curriculum with his own testimony of redemption. "These principles are not theories to me," he said. "They are biblical truths that transformed my life and became the foundation of the message God has called me to share."
Though friends and family encouraged him for years to write his story, Linehan began seriously pursuing the project around 2020. The writing process was challenging, especially while managing ADHD, but his purpose remained clear. "If readers take away only one thing from this book, I want it to be hope," Linehan said. "Jesus offers abundant new life to everyone who is willing to surrender. 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's ministry work includes co-founding Men in Christ Global Ministries, which helps men grow spiritually and develop authentic Christian fellowship. He is also 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. He currently lives in Taipei, Taiwan, with his wife and daughter, while continuing to minister internationally and travel regularly to Houston.
Lucid Books, the publisher of "Free Indeed," is an independent hybrid publisher based in the Houston area. According to their website, Lucid Books offers the connections and expertise of a traditional publisher with the author involvement of a self-publisher, aiming to help authors inspire, inform, and enrich readers' lives.
