Father Ed Wills entered the Catholic Church in 2000. He is a former Protestant minister who pastored an independent church and later was a priest in the Charismatic Episcopal Church.

Father Ed first became involved in the Charismatic Renewal in 1970. He was active in the Lay Witness Movement and the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International. He did his undergraduate studies in theology at Oral Roberts University specializing in ancient languages and his graduate work at the University of Dallas in theology, literature, and philosophy. Father Ed lived for two years with the Discalced Carmelites where he taught Greek and Old Testament. It was there that he learned the ancient practices of prayer, intentional breathing, and meditation.

With Father Ed’s background in Greek and Hebrew, he is often called upon for Biblical translation. He collaborated with his wife, Cheryl, in her book Who is Jesus, First Century Eyewitnesses Tell Their Stories, and did all Scripture translations for that work.

Father Ed’s latest book, Lord, Heal my Wounded Soul uses Ignatian Imaginative Prayer Exercises as a healing modality for the wounds of our souls. These exercises were developed as Father Ed made his own healing journey from the simple regrets of childhood through overcoming PTSD as a result of his combat experience in the Middle East.

Father Ed’s previous book, Learning to Listen to God reviews the prayer techniques of the saints and helps the reader form their own modality of prayer through which they can encounter God and hear his voice in their lives. In the book Father Ed teaches breathing and meditation techniques from the ancient hesychastic practice of the desert monks whose presence in the Judeo-Christian tradition dates back to Elijah the prophet (circa 800 B.C.). He also reviews the prayer life of Saints John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, Ignatius Loyola, and others who have given us different models of prayer.

Father Ed is a popular public speaker, retreat leader, and spiritual director. Some of his recent talks can be found on this website. (click here) He is also a renowned Bible teacher, known for his knowledge of Biblical languages, archeology, and ancient cultures. His Four Keys to Understanding Scripture revolutionize the way we all read the Bible.

Father Ed was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest in the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter by Bishop Steven Lopes in May, 2018.

Currently, Father Ed serves as Pastor of Our Lady of Hope and Guardian Angels Parish in Kansas City, Missouri.  Father Ed and his wife of 40 years have three beautiful daughters, and three brilliant grandchildren.