Michael J. Heil
books, workshops, and public speaking
"the amount of despair we experience when something goes wrong is directly proportional to the amount of hope we have placed in that thing."
- Michaels Voice As An Author Is An Awesome Trifecta Of Straight Up Honesty, Humor, And Inspiration. I Would Definitely Recommend For Anyone Looking For Some Inspiration To Get Through Rough Times Or Just A Good Read.
—Andrew Shelton
- As someone who struggles with my own addictions this book gives me the strength and courage to overcome.
—Bill A.
Buy the Book:
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ENDORSEMENTS
Michael Heil takes us unto the darkest tunnels of drug addiction, criminality and self indulgence, and he does it with such intellect, grace and self effacement that we do not judge. His story is a thoroughly honest portrayal of the worst--and the best--in life, the painful search for God and self. Pursued should be read by anyone who deals with teenagers, especially those who are on a dangerous path to self destruction. It is a balm to the spirit, an affirmation of life, its beauty and its challenges. Michael's courage is astonishing and inspiring.Sonia Levitin — Author of 40 Novels Including Journey to America Nationwide Mandatory Reading on the Holocaust
“Michael Heil’s book is the best example of God’s effectual calling of anyone I have met or heard about. In spite of Michael’s resisting God’s love and grace with his rebellion and seeking meaning & purpose inlife through all the ways the world offers, our Heavenly Father reached down and marvelously savedMichael. This book is a modern-day story of the prodigal son. It will capture your heart as you see thesteadfast love of our Lord Jesus overcoming all of Michael’s resistance and claiming Michael for His own. In this book we see the beauty of the heart of Jesus as His love; grace are greater than all our sin—nomatter the depths of sin to which we have descended. Michael’s book will encourage anyone who isseeking real meaning & purpose in life to turn to Jesus and find what matters most in life—life eternal. Ihighly recommend this book for those who already know Jesus those seeking Him.”James Stewart—South Region Coordinator for Evangelism Explosion International
“Every now and then, The Lord raises up a Nehemiah. He has been preparing him to lead a great work.Often these servants have experiences that are there to prepare them for a great work. I believe that’swhat the Lord has done with Brother Michael Heil. His story is very powerful & compelling, redemptionat its best. What a tangible example of the blessing of responding to God’s call on one’s life.”Pastor Dewayne Rembert—Founder of Flatline Movement
Mike Heil's memoir tells us a real-life, modern-day retelling of the Prodigal Son parable. The details of his life describe how the wayward human mind can move away from God's loving and caring, beautiful plans for each of us. As with the original Prodigal Son, the blessings of living in the Father's house eventually makes every prodigal child wonder why they are not living under God's will for their lives. It is delightful to see the changes in a spiritually, physically, and emotionally transformed life by the love and lordship of Jesus Christ.Harold Viana — Youth With A Mission Asia and Pacific Region
This book is vulnerable, extensive, articulate, and engaging through invigorating and adventurous personal experiences that help the reader to see the redemptive power of the living God. Through the writers journey I was reminded how God pays attention to every detail of our lives and will use it to reveal his glory. I was taken on a journey of tears, laughter and raw truth.I recommend this book to youth pastors, leaders and missionaries. And anyone who struggles to see the power of God at work. Mpumi Maweni — Director of Mobilization, Operation Mobilization, Canada
“Every now and then, The Lord raises up a Nehemiah. He has been preparing him to lead a great work.Often these servants have experiences that are there to prepare them for a great work. I believe that’swhat the Lord has done with Brother Michael Heil. His story is very powerful & compelling, redemptionat its best. What a tangible example of the blessing of responding to God’s call on one’s life.”Pastor Dewayne Rembert—Founder of Flatline Movement
Mike Heil's memoir tells us a real-life, modern-day retelling of the Prodigal Son parable. The details of his life describe how the wayward human mind can move away from God's loving and caring, beautiful plans for each of us. As with the original Prodigal Son, the blessings of living in the Father's house eventually makes every prodigal child wonder why they are not living under God's will for their lives. It is delightful to see the changes in a spiritually, physically, and emotionally transformed life by the love and lordship of Jesus Christ.Harold Viana — Youth With A Mission Asia and Pacific Region
This book is vulnerable, extensive, articulate, and engaging through invigorating and adventurous personal experiences that help the reader to see the redemptive power of the living God. Through the writers journey I was reminded how God pays attention to every detail of our lives and will use it to reveal his glory. I was taken on a journey of tears, laughter and raw truth.I recommend this book to youth pastors, leaders and missionaries. And anyone who struggles to see the power of God at work. Mpumi Maweni — Director of Mobilization, Operation Mobilization, Canada
TESTIMONIALS + REVIEWS
"Michael tells his story of youth, excess, and hardship with such honesty and courage that it's a tear-jerker and comedy at the same time.It's inspiring how he shares his path to faith without holding back the nitty gritty and ugly parts that shaped his youth and life."Pursued" is undoubtedly a book about finding purpose and a beautiful read for anybody searching for meaning beyond the cultural fillers.Be prepared to laugh, cry, and relate to the author on a truly human level, flawed and loved all at the same time."—Ashley Brown
Started reading this book at 11pm, ten minutes later it was 2 AM. This book draws you in and all of us who have struggled with various addictions will constantly be reminded that our weaknesses are nothing to the power that God affords us in victory through His Son.—Mark Rose
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is or has struggled with any type of addiction, is searching for purpose in life, or has just been turned off by religion. Had me rolling over laughing but was also very encouraging. The stories are so relatable. Was amazing reading this story of redemption, one man’s brokenness turned around by Gods relentless pursuit.—Rachael
Beautifully raw and deeply insightful, Michael lifts the veil on the lie that anything outside of God can satisfy us and reveals a Creator whose deepest longing is to lavish His love on those who have wandered from Him. Whether your struggle is with drugs, sex, success, or something else entirely, in these pages, you will come face to face with a God who cares more than you know and who is fighting harder for your freedom than you ever could yourself.—Anonymous Reader
I'm in awe of this book. Coming up from a similar background I've never had anyone describe the many thoughts I've had. Michael is so raw and vulnerable in his story not holding anything back from the reader. —Karen Nielsen
This is an amazing book for unbelievers and believers alike. —Rebecca
This was a very good read. The author pulls you in and peeks your interest from beginning to end! I was impressed with his writing style! —Big Fan
An extremely engaging look at how addiction and recovery ACTUALLY work. It takes more than getting sober - we must find meaning. —Robert
Though I've never experienced what the author has in terms of drugs and addiction, he tells his story in a clear and straightforward way to understand what it was like to grow up under the grip of drug addiction. Every chapter builds upon each other and gives you a full picture of the magnitude of ways God continued to pursue not just Michael but every one of us in our own ways! —Victoria Hepp
What an incredibly poignant and powerful book! If you are someone, or you know someone, who is searching for meaning and happiness in life and have followed the powerful influences of drugs and/or material things in search of seemingly elusive fulfillment, satisfaction, and happiness, this is the book you’re looking for! The author takes you on a journey of sometimes wrenching and often hilarious, but always powerful, personal experiences in his own search for meaning and purpose in life.—Edward Thomas
I loved how honestly Michael wrote about his past drug use, and way of life. His writing is so good, you can feel what he went through and how he came to know God. —Chis Graham
This book is an amazing Memoir of a life entangled in teenage life crisis...The humorous story telling and vulnerability are so uniquely intertwined that I haven't read such an account of conversion in a long time! I commend this book to everyone who has been pursued or currently being pursued for purpose! —Remi Bankole
How many of us would really have the courage to "bare all", as Michael does in this book, if there weren't some kind of resolution to it all? Some kind of amends made for the grievous prison in which the author found himself? Michael's confession of his life's mistakes could only be countered by the redemptive experiences he shares and the paradigm shifting reality of God's love for Him. —David B.
I've spent the last few days reading this book and could not bring myself to put it down. With exciting tales of how he lived life on the edge for most of his life seeking to quench his appetite for one thrill after another, Heil took us on a journey that ultimately lead to him finding God. —Kenishia Ellison
When I finish a chapter I just want to read another. —Jeffrey S.
Wonderfully written, thoughtful, something many of us can relate to. That feeling we all have of searching for something...that was God all along. —Franklin Velasco
As a sober person of many years, I could relate to the struggles, triumphs, and unrelenting search for meaning. Thanks so much for sharing your story, Michael. —Daryl Dittmer
This books offers a real life perspective on what drug use is like. I love how each chapter correlates back to the word of God and what we can take from each chapter as a result. —Elisha
As someone who struggles with my own addictions this book gives me the strength and courage to overcome. —Bill A.
Michaels voice as an author is an awesome trifecta of straight up honesty, humor, and inspiration. I would definitely recommend for anyone looking for some inspiration to get through rough times or just a good read. —Andrew Shelton
Started reading this book at 11pm, ten minutes later it was 2 AM. This book draws you in and all of us who have struggled with various addictions will constantly be reminded that our weaknesses are nothing to the power that God affords us in victory through His Son.—Mark Rose
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is or has struggled with any type of addiction, is searching for purpose in life, or has just been turned off by religion. Had me rolling over laughing but was also very encouraging. The stories are so relatable. Was amazing reading this story of redemption, one man’s brokenness turned around by Gods relentless pursuit.—Rachael
Beautifully raw and deeply insightful, Michael lifts the veil on the lie that anything outside of God can satisfy us and reveals a Creator whose deepest longing is to lavish His love on those who have wandered from Him. Whether your struggle is with drugs, sex, success, or something else entirely, in these pages, you will come face to face with a God who cares more than you know and who is fighting harder for your freedom than you ever could yourself.—Anonymous Reader
I'm in awe of this book. Coming up from a similar background I've never had anyone describe the many thoughts I've had. Michael is so raw and vulnerable in his story not holding anything back from the reader. —Karen Nielsen
This is an amazing book for unbelievers and believers alike. —Rebecca
This was a very good read. The author pulls you in and peeks your interest from beginning to end! I was impressed with his writing style! —Big Fan
An extremely engaging look at how addiction and recovery ACTUALLY work. It takes more than getting sober - we must find meaning. —Robert
Though I've never experienced what the author has in terms of drugs and addiction, he tells his story in a clear and straightforward way to understand what it was like to grow up under the grip of drug addiction. Every chapter builds upon each other and gives you a full picture of the magnitude of ways God continued to pursue not just Michael but every one of us in our own ways! —Victoria Hepp
What an incredibly poignant and powerful book! If you are someone, or you know someone, who is searching for meaning and happiness in life and have followed the powerful influences of drugs and/or material things in search of seemingly elusive fulfillment, satisfaction, and happiness, this is the book you’re looking for! The author takes you on a journey of sometimes wrenching and often hilarious, but always powerful, personal experiences in his own search for meaning and purpose in life.—Edward Thomas
I loved how honestly Michael wrote about his past drug use, and way of life. His writing is so good, you can feel what he went through and how he came to know God. —Chis Graham
This book is an amazing Memoir of a life entangled in teenage life crisis...The humorous story telling and vulnerability are so uniquely intertwined that I haven't read such an account of conversion in a long time! I commend this book to everyone who has been pursued or currently being pursued for purpose! —Remi Bankole
How many of us would really have the courage to "bare all", as Michael does in this book, if there weren't some kind of resolution to it all? Some kind of amends made for the grievous prison in which the author found himself? Michael's confession of his life's mistakes could only be countered by the redemptive experiences he shares and the paradigm shifting reality of God's love for Him. —David B.
I've spent the last few days reading this book and could not bring myself to put it down. With exciting tales of how he lived life on the edge for most of his life seeking to quench his appetite for one thrill after another, Heil took us on a journey that ultimately lead to him finding God. —Kenishia Ellison
When I finish a chapter I just want to read another. —Jeffrey S.
Wonderfully written, thoughtful, something many of us can relate to. That feeling we all have of searching for something...that was God all along. —Franklin Velasco
As a sober person of many years, I could relate to the struggles, triumphs, and unrelenting search for meaning. Thanks so much for sharing your story, Michael. —Daryl Dittmer
This books offers a real life perspective on what drug use is like. I love how each chapter correlates back to the word of God and what we can take from each chapter as a result. —Elisha
As someone who struggles with my own addictions this book gives me the strength and courage to overcome. —Bill A.
Michaels voice as an author is an awesome trifecta of straight up honesty, humor, and inspiration. I would definitely recommend for anyone looking for some inspiration to get through rough times or just a good read. —Andrew Shelton
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