Near-Death Testimonies: What Happens When Eternity Breaks Into Real Life

What happens when someone comes face-to-face with death—and comes back changed?

In a culture flooded with opinions, arguments, and endless noise, stories still stop us in our tracks. Especially the ones that force us to ask uncomfortable questions about eternity, truth, and God.

In a recent episode of Truth Behind the Mike with Mike Stone, I sat down with Mark Ellis, a Christian journalist who has spent more than 25 years documenting real, verifiable testimonies of God at work. These aren’t secondhand legends or exaggerated faith stories. They are firsthand accounts—many from skeptics, atheists, and people who never expected to encounter God at all.

And some of them begin at the very edge of death.

When an Atheist Stares Into Eternity

One of the most gripping stories Mark shares is that of Howard Storm, an atheist college professor who suffered a sudden medical emergency while traveling in Europe. With no doctor available and no hope of survival, Howard slipped out of his body—and into an experience that shattered his worldview.

What he encountered wasn’t peaceful. It wasn’t comforting. It was terrifying.

Howard described finding himself on the edge of hell, surrounded by darkness, torment, and despair. With no religious background to lean on, no prayers memorized, and no belief in God, he did the only thing that came to mind—he cried out the name of Jesus.

That single moment changed everything.

Howard survived. But more importantly, he returned with an unshakable conviction that eternity is real, and that Jesus Christ is not just a historical figure—but a living Savior. The former atheist would later become a pastor, dedicating his life to warning others that death is not the end.

The Only Known Survivor From the 9/11 Impact Zone

Another story Mark documents is almost impossible to comprehend.

On September 11, 2001, a man named Stanley Praimnath was working on the 81st floor of the South Tower—directly in the plane’s impact zone. He was the only known person to survive that moment.

When the jet struck, Stanley found himself engulfed in fire and destruction. In those final seconds, he prayed one desperate prayer: “Jesus, save me.”

Against all odds, he lived.

Mark compares Stanley’s survival to the biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—men who walked through fire untouched because God was with them. Whether someone views that moment as a miracle or not, the question remains: Why did one man survive when no one else did?

Even on the Moon, God Is Near

One of the most unexpected testimonies in Mark’s collection comes from James Irwin, an Apollo astronaut and the eighth man to walk on the moon.

While conducting experiments on the lunar surface, Irwin encountered a technical failure he couldn’t solve. In frustration, he prayed. What followed was an overwhelming awareness of Jesus’ presence—so real that Irwin physically turned around, expecting to see Him standing there.

That encounter changed the trajectory of his life.

After returning to Earth, Irwin left NASA and devoted himself to Christian ministry, convinced that there is no place in the universe where God’s presence cannot reach.

Why Testimonies Still Matter

We live in a skeptical age. Many people say, “Show me proof.” But Scripture reminds us that testimony has always been one of God’s most powerful tools.

The Bible says believers overcome “by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.” Stories don’t replace truth—but they point us toward it.

As Mark Ellis puts it, “God’s stories are the best stories.”

Through his work at God Reports, Mark has published over 1,400 testimonies, with readers around the world encountering the gospel—and responding. Every month, people come to faith simply by reading the stories of what God has done in someone else’s life.

A Question We All Must Answer

Near-death testimonies aren’t meant to entertain us. They confront us.

They ask questions we often try to avoid:

• What happens when this life ends?

• Is there really heaven and hell?

• Is Jesus who He claimed to be?

The stories shared in this episode don’t force belief—but they do force reflection.

Because one day, every one of us will face eternity.

🎥 Watch the full conversation with Mark Ellis on Truth Behind the Mike with Mike Stone

📘 When Kingdom Light Shines is available on Amazon

🌐 Explore more testimonies at GodReports.com