UNSHACKLED! Audio Dramas

Steve’s parents run many businesses, so home is chaotic. His grandmother takes him to church and he’s baptized; but Jesus seems distant to him. Overweight and with acne, Steve withdrew into fantasy and drugs. Joins the Navy, explores the occult, attempts suicide. He then does well in the military but explores homosexuality and adultery. Drinks heavily. A civilian again he tries education. Disillusioned, he turns to the Bible and meets Jesus, encouraged by his step-sister. Now in prison ministry, hoping to be a missionary to Cuba.

Growing up without any knowledge of God, Fred succeeds in college, in the Air Force and in business. A poor relationship with his stepfather makes him a poor father after he marries and has two children. Several close calls as a navigator make him wonder about God and death, especially when his stepfather dies in his arms. Then his eight year old son attempts suicide and Fred cries out to God.

After Fred’s eight-year-old son attempts suicide, Fred calls out to God and reads the Bible but he is unable to explain the change to his wife. She leaves, taking their daughter. Fred gets custody of his son but is still bitter. As he reads the Bible, God’s Word teaches him forgiveness and he prays for his wife. She remarries and divorces three times, but Fred remains faithful and waiting, 36 years.

Alma & family live in Poland when Russian army invades. Father sent to Siberia. Family is split up, forced to labor on farms for four years. Then they are reunited and sent to East Germany. Each escapes to West Germany. She meets and marries Fred, and they immigrate to America. Three children, good life, but Alma is empty inside until she hears evangelist on radio and receives Christ. Fred follows in salvation and both serve the Lord. Fred dies but Alma still active in evangelism.

Jeff’s family is dysfunctional. Dad gone a lot and depressed when he’s home. Jeff is a peacemaker who likes to help others. When his best friend is killed in an accident, Jeff decides to join the Peace Corps. He spends two years in Korea, helping fight TB and leprosy. A leper with faith in Christ prompts Jeff to read the Bible. He helps a missionary with orphan children. When he comes home, he teaches middle school where he’s invited to Bible study and receives Christ. Now works for Christian ministry to the blind.

Jim grows up ashamed of his alcoholic father, yet he loves him and does well in college until his dad dies. Then guilt and depression set in and he becomes addicted to alcohol and anti-depressants. He manages to graduate, lands a good job and marries. But alcohol controls him and he loses one job after another, even one marriage after another. The first part ends as he is arrested for DUI’s and seeks rehab.

Jim continues to try treatment for his alcoholism, but fails. He loses jobs, lies, gambles and commits adultery. His second wife divorces him. He squanders his retirement cache, sells possessions, ends up living with Christian cousin and goes to church, talks with pastor and prays for salvation. Marriage and family are reconciled. Now in ministry.

Kermit never attends church growing up in South Chicago. His parents leave him and brother with Grandmother for several years. He steals and cuts school after parents split when he’s a teenager, and he does a year in bad boy’s school. He learns to drink with co-workers. Is drafted and sent to Vietnam where he works to be a good soldier. But back home, drinking controls him and leads to breakup with Mary, his true love. First part ends with his alienation.

Kermit’s hard drinking leads to his cousin’s death and leaves him plagued with guilt. He loses a good job and ends up on the streets where he shoots a man during a confrontation. A friend tells him about Jesus, Who will change his life. So Kermit searches for the rescue mission, comes to Pacific Garden Mission and gives his life to Christ. He and Mary are married, and he is still serving God at PGM.

Mavis has a normal life until her kidneys fail at age thirteen. As she lies dying, a stranger says God has a purpose for her life. When she’s a senior in high school, she has a grand mal seizure and is diagnosed with epilepsy. After graduation she’s hospitalized, overmedicated and is put in the mental ward. Finally, the epilepsy is controlled enough that she works in a day care center, sharing an apartment. Another crisis and she’s diagnosed with lupus. A roommate leads her to Christ, and then she meets Dudley and they marry. The first part ends with her pregnancy.