Warm, wise, compassionate, and oh so real! Meet Emily Wilson, Heart of the Father’s newest team member.

Emily, our Resources and Sales Coordinator, hails from California’s Bay Area but has embraced Philly and loves to “talk about the Eagles, eat a cheesesteak, and ride public transportation home.”

A graduate of Villanova University and the Augustine Institute, Emily has been a missionary in Honduras (she’s fluent in Spanish!) and also worked as a parish Director of Religious Education. “And then the Lord called me to Philly,” smiles Emily. “He was asking me to take on a new mission.” That mission is called Christ in the City, a Denver-based ministry with a Philadelphia branch where she helps young adult missionaries deepen their relationship with Christ and reach out to the homeless.

We learn about Christ in City’s unique approach and what led Emily to Heart of the Father where she leads Unbound ministry sessions and now serves on staff.

“I had such a beautiful experience, at the conference, of gratitude for the vulnerability that people share in these sessions and their trust in the Father’s goodness. I became captivated by a God who sets captives free.”

Emily speaks of the “lightbulb moment” when people recognize they have believed a lie and take Jesus’ hand to walk in a new way. “Jesus has already won the victory and I’m just inviting people to step into that victory,” she declares.

Feeling hungry? Learn Emily’s favorite place to buy a cheesesteak and what variety she loves most.

Join us for our November Freedom in Christ Conference November 22 & 23 near Philadelphia.
Learn more about Christ in the City
Come to our Unbound Leadership Conference in March 2025
See our upcoming events.

Release: November 2024
Music by Christian Harper
Artwork by Rosemary Strohm
Production by Christian Harper

If you aren’t yet acquainted with Dr. Christopher West, President of Theology of the Body Institute, this episode is your golden opportunity. The passion with which Dr. West speaks is infectious and amazing.

Dr. West answers deep questions surrounding this year’s Open Doors podcast theme of “Come and See.” He tells about hearing a song at age eight and how a rock star taught him to pray, setting him on a path of longing and seeking.

We then hear of West’s camp experience at age fifteen and how his view of the gospel as a starvation diet, caused him to say, “No thanks!”

West shares about being broken and grieving at age twenty from a painful relationship breakup, the beautiful witness of his brother, and the point when he confessed faith in Christ – falling on his knees and asking God to show him what to do with this inner longing.

At about age 40, Dr. West realized he had spent much of his life clinging to what he calls “false infinities.” In that experience, God brought to his mind a boyhood fishing trip with his father where a fish swallowed the hook and West explains how that hook exemplifies the lie of the enemy.

Last, we learn what the Lord is inviting Dr. Christopher West to come and see today at his current age of fifty-five.

While listening, we are personally challenged by Matt’s thought-provoking questions, most importantly, “Who do you say Jesus is?”

Teaser: What song does Christopher West sing back to Bruce Springsteen and Mick Jagger? Hear him demo a couple lines in this episode!

Join us for our November Freedom in Christ Conference near Philadelphia
Come to our Unbound Leadership Conference in March 2025
See our upcoming events.

Release: November 2024
Music by Christian Harper
Artwork by Rosemary Strohm
Production by Christian Harper

Following last week’s podcast with Dr. Mary Healy, we listen to Jenn and Matt discuss the issue of authority, taking it to a personal level.

Jenn reflects on how Romans 6: 8-11 relates to authority and she references Chapter 12 of Abba’s Heart. We hear about an individual who, after receiving healing through Unbound prayer, was later able to use her voice and speak out with authority.

Matt defines authority, saying it comes from knowing who the Father is and understanding our relationship with Him.

We are encouraged to start small by taking what God has entrusted to us - things, talents, resources - and practice walking in authority in those areas that we know to be our responsibility. The enemy’s tactic is to turn our thoughts inward and work to protect ourselves.

Because we are Son’s and Daughters of the Father, we can speak the Fourth Key with authority and do so safely, stepping back and looking at the big picture.

Bible Trivia Question from this episode: The prodigal son’s father presented him with a robe, sandals, and what other item? Listen to see how this item exemplifies authority.

Join us for our November Freedom in Christ Conference near Philadelphia
Come to our Unbound Leadership Conference in March 2025
See our upcoming events.

Release: October 2024
Music by Christian Harper
Artwork by Rosemary Strohm
Production by Christian Harper

Dr. Mary Healy Explains The Fourth Key: The Command

Meet Matt’s “go-to theologian,” the best-selling author and international speaker Dr. Mary Healy, Professor of Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, general editor of the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture, and more.

This episode helps Christians of all backgrounds explore common questions and concerns regarding the Fourth Key of Unbound: The Command.

Does a lay person have the authority to command demons? Dr. Healy distinguishes between private exorcism and the rite of exorcism, which is reserved only for Bishops and specifically-authorized priests.
She gives scriptures and examples surrounding the Fourth Key, also known as adjuration, which means to command someone in the name of a higher authority.

Dr. Healy lists numerous resources for those wishing to explore this aspect of deliverance ministry further, saying “Hardly a week goes by that I don’t recommend that book to some person or group somewhere in the world.” Can you guess what “that book” is? She also describes how to put oneself in a
spiritually dangerous position. The answer is not what you might guess!

Be sure to listen to the very end to hear Dr. Healy’s eloquent and powerful concluding prayer.

Find the book Deliverance Ministry published by the ICCRS Doctrinal Commission

Find "The Virtuous Use of Private Exorcism by Laypersons" by Fr.Bradley Sjoquist

Join us for our November Freedom in Christ Conference near Philadelphia
See our upcoming events.


Release: October 2024
Music by Christian Harper
Artwork by Rosemary Strohm
Production by Christian Harper

In this episode, Jenn hosts Neal as they discuss the reasons why Renunciation, the Third Key of Unbound, is so important.

So you're following Jesus, and there's something in your life that doesn't belong to you and in that relationship you have with Him. Well, it's a good time to consider renunciation!

Renunciation means that, in the name of Jesus, we break with any ties which are not of God – saying in essence, “I’m done with this!”

The need for renunciation occurs when there is something in one’s life that doesn’t belong – things like sinful patterns, lies, fears, and unholy attachments. We can renounce these things using the great power that comes from Jesus’ name. Renunciation is a normal part of a Christian's life.

Satan, our enemy, is the father of lies and Neal explains how this plays out into one’s thought life. When we host deception and lies about God and ourselves, the enemy draws near and wants to bring us into bondage. We begin seeing these things as a part of us, and therein agreeing with them and making a home for them. Once we recognize the lies, we can take a stand against them.

Learn the three steps of renunciation and what happened at a Freedom in Christ conference that caused someone to say, “I feel like I just took a spiritual shower!”

Join us for our November Freedom in Christ Conference near Philadelphia
See our upcoming events.


Take Your Stand ( another renunciation podcast)
Is an Unbound Session a Good Preparation for Sacramental Confession blogpost

Resisting the Devil by Neal Lozano

Release: October 2024
Music by Christian Harper
Artwork by Rosemary Strohm
Production by Christian Harper

Hear the engaging story of Ron Riggins –family man, businessman, Unbound ministry team founder, Board member, and more!

We hear of Ron’s faith background, meeting his wife Terry, and his prayer while watching the Pentagon burn on September 11th. His first introduction to Unbound was the change he saw in Terry after she attended an Unbound conference.

Ron sees the parish as a natural place for Unbound ministry and speaks of the “beauty of Unbound.” He offers valuable advice for folks launching their first Unbound team including the value of having younger adults offering ministry, as well as those who are more seasoned.

Matt agrees, saying that we sometimes carry a wounded little boy or wounded little girl within us and having a young person speak to that can be transformational. Matt also testifies to experiencing calm and hope when receiving prayer from someone older.

The episode concludes with Ron sharing his thoughts about retirement and his desire to pass on the grace he has received to younger generations.

Question: When praying Unbound, are we on offense or defense? Find out in this episode!

Join us for our November Freedom in Christ Conference near Philadelphia
See our upcoming events.

Release: October 2024
Music by Christian Harper
Artwork by Rosemary Strohm
Production by Christian Harper

Jacqueline hosts Neal in this intimate discussion on the topic of Forgiveness,
the Second Key.

As Christians, we can be quick to forgive but forgiveness is often a process for
those deeper wounds and hurts.

God has forgiven us through His Son and we receive His forgiveness by an
expression of faith. Neal discusses the connection between our receiving
forgiveness from God and extending forgiveness to others. It’s a partnership.
The story of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18 shows that the freedom we
receive is limited by our unforgiveness. This is one of the enemy’s big
strategies – getting us bound by failing to forgive others so that we fail to
receive forgiveness ourselves from God.

Forgiveness takes time. It is a commitment. It is a process that continues
through the Holy Spirit. Saying the words of forgiveness out loud, as we do in
Unbound prayer, is effective. We are not the driving force, but instead are
called to cooperate with the work of the Holy Spirit.

Neal covers five reasons why we fail to forgive. Can you guess what some
might be? Listen and grow with us!

Watch the Power of Forgiveness talk

Join us for our November Freedom in Christ Conference near Philadelphia
See our upcoming events.

Release: October 2024
Music by Christian Harper
Artwork by Rosemary Strohm
Production by Christian Harper

What does repentance and faith look like in an Unbound session when past wounds might cause inner blindness?

How can we go deeper in healing through this First Key of Unbound?

In this episode, we review the foundational and foremost First Key: Repentance and Faith. Sometimes called “The Forgotten Key,” it can be easy to overlook within Unbound prayer.

Repentance is a gift of God’s grace empowered by the Holy Spirit when we respond to truth revealed to us.

God enables us to repent even when we want to hold on to our own way. Saying words like “sorry, please, and thank you” can be part of repentance. Giving our hurts and grief to God is indeed, also, a part of this First Key.

Learn how repentance and faith fit together along with Matt’s explanation of how all Five Keys ultimately are forms of repentance and faith.

Hear the exciting testimonial recently shared with us by someone who attended an Unbound conference six years ago! Transformation has a ripple effect!

Trivia Tidbit: What scripture text is a foremost example of Repentance and Faith?

Find out in this second episode of Season 4 of the Open Doors podcast!

Join us for our November Freedom in Christ Conference near Philadelphia
See our upcoming events.

Release: September 2024
Music by Christian Harper
Artwork by Rosemary Strohm
Production by Christian Harper