Christianity has tended to focus on right beliefs and right choices as the keys for personal growth. But biblical evidence and modern brain science show that our character is shaped more by whom we love than what we believe.

Through conversations he had with Dallas Willard at the Heart & Soul Conference shortly before Dallas’s death, Jim Wilder shows how we can train our brains to relate to God based on joyful, mutual attachment—which leads to emotional and spiritual maturity as our identity and character are formed by our relationship with God.

This is Jim Wilder’s brief introduction to the Heart and Soul conference. He speaks about how Jane and Dallas Willard paved the way in his experience to learn how vital it is to welcome the real-time and interactive presence of Christ into the healing and maturation process for all Christ-followers.

Dr. Dallas Willard was a Professor at the School of Philosophy – University of Southern California, Dr. Willard has spent his life equipping people with resources that transform lives from the inside out.

Dr. Jim Wilder has been training leaders and counselors for over 30 years on five continents. Jim has extensive clinical counseling experience and is the founder and chief neurotheologian of Life Model Works. Jim grew up in South America and is fluent in English and Spanish. He is the author of 20 books with a strong focus on maturity and relational skills. His co-authored book, Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You, has sold over 100,000 copies and is printed in 14 languages. Jim has published numerous articles and developed four sets of video and relational leadership trainings. He has served as a guest lecturer at Fuller Seminary, Biola, Talbot Seminary, St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, Montreat College, Tyndale Seminary, and elsewhere