Howard Storm (author) facts for kids
For the film, television director and actor, see Howard Storm (director)
Quick facts for kids Howard Storm |
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| Born | October 26, 1946 in Newton, Massachusetts, U.S. |
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| Church | United Church of Christ |
| Education | San Francisco Art Institute,(BFA) University of California, Berkeley (MA, MFA) United Theological Seminary,(MDiv) |
| Congregations served | Covington United Church of Christ, Covington, Ohio |
| Title | Senior Pastor, Covington United Church of Christ |
Howard Storm (born October 26, 1946) is an American Christian minister, writer, and painter. He used to be a professor and head of the art department at Northern Kentucky University. In 2000, he wrote a book called My Descent Into Death. This book tells the story of his near-death experience, which is when someone has a special experience while they are very close to dying. His story has been shared on TV shows like Today Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Contents
Howard Storm's Story
His Early Life
Howard Storm was born in Newton, Massachusetts. He studied art at the San Francisco Art Institute, earning his first degree in 1969. He continued his studies at the University of California, Berkeley, getting two more degrees in 1970.
In 1972, Mr. Storm moved to Northern Kentucky University. There, he became an art professor and quickly earned a permanent teaching position. He worked as an art professor for 20 years. Before his near-death experience, he described himself as someone who did not believe in God.
A Life-Changing Experience
In June 1985, Howard Storm was leading a trip to Europe with his students. While in Paris, he suddenly felt very sick with bad stomach pain. He went to a hospital and found out he had a serious problem that needed surgery. He had to wait many hours for the operation.
While waiting, he felt like he was going to die. He said goodbye to his wife and then passed out. Mr. Storm later reported a strange experience. He felt like he was floating outside his body, looking down at himself in the hospital bed. He felt no pain and could see his wife crying.
He then heard voices calling his name from outside the room. He followed them, thinking they were taking him to a doctor. He described pale, human-like creatures that led him down a hallway. These creatures became unfriendly and started to attack him when he didn't want to follow them anymore.
He then heard a voice tell him to "Pray to God." When he prayed, the creatures went away, and he was alone. After some time, he called out for Jesus to help him. Suddenly, he was rescued by "spiritual beings of light."
What Happened Next
After this, he remembered his whole life, like a quick review. The "beings of light" then answered his questions. They told him that the United States was a special country but needed to change to keep its success. He saw visions of a future with wars and natural disasters. However, these could be avoided if people around the world had a big spiritual change.
The beings also told him that the "correct religion" is the one that brings you closest to God. Like others who have had near-death experiences, he says we are on Earth to love each other.
When he woke up, doctors were getting him ready for surgery. He recovered from the surgery. In the days that followed, he reported that a doctor visited him, and the room seemed to get brighter when the doctor arrived. He also heard a "Voice" that told him to go back to the U.S. a week after his surgery, which he did.
When he arrived in Cincinnati, he was very sick and had to go to the hospital again. He had several serious health problems. It took him five weeks to recover in the hospital and seven months to feel strong enough to go back to work.
After His Experience
Howard Storm said that his experience never faded like regular memories or dreams. Because of what happened, he became involved with a church. He went to the United Theological Seminary to study and became a minister. He served as a pastor at the Zion United Church of Christ in Norwood, Ohio, and also at the United Church of Christ in Covington, Ohio.
