Life has not only been a journey for Don Piper, according to his story -- which has captured the attention of millions worldwide -- it's…
Life has not only been a journey for Don Piper, according to his story — which has captured the attention of millions worldwide — it’s taken him to heaven and back again.
Author of the best-selling book “90 Minutes in Heaven,” Don, whose story is the basis for a major motion picture to be released in the fall, will speak at 10:30 a.m. April 26 at Word of Grace Church in Chester Township.
“There is a very powerful message in his book, and it is rooted ultimately in an even more powerful message that I believe can change our lives for the better,” said Ryan Young, executive pastor of Word of Grace Church.
After quite a few members of his community had been inspired by the book, Young invited Don to come to the church to share his story.
“I believe that the message Don has to share is one that inspires hope in people, and allows them to step away from the chaos of everyday life and focus on the love of Christ and the assurance of eternal life with him,” Young said.
Don, an ordain-ed minister from Texas since 1985, will share his lessons of answered prayers, miracles, overcoming tragedy, pain and loss, and his account of the reality of heaven.
“My dad travels about 250 days a year,” said Chris Piper, Don’s son, via phone interview from Houston. He was referencing his dad’s ministries and the sharing of his faith-filled story.
The life-changing chapter of that story began Jan. 18, 1989, during a rainy drive home from a church conference. Don’s car was struck head-on by an 18-wheeler and he was pronounced dead by four sets of paramedics on the Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Bridge north of Houston.
Shortly after the accident, a pastor from the same conference arrived on the scene and prayed for the man in the “red car.”
According to Don, he went to heaven and experienced things he describes as amazing and beautiful.
“Heaven is a buffet for the senses,” Don said. “It is a sensory explosion.”
After 34 major surgeries, he now walks as a result of “miraculous and in some cases medically unexplainable, circumstances.”
Don has shared his story of hope and healing on several TV shows, including NBC’s “Today Show,” NBC’s “Dateline,” ABC’s “Nightline,” FOX Network’s “The Sean Hannity Show” and “The O’Reilly Factor.”
Chris said the upcoming film will star actors Hayden Christensen (“Star Wars,” “Jumper”) as Don and Kate Bosworth (“Blue Crush,” “Superman Returns”) as his wife.
“It’s hard to really come to grips with someone really being you,” Don said. He said there has been years of interest from producers wanting to retell his story, but he finally went with screenwriter and movie director Michael Polish because he kept with the integrity of the book.
“God has a plan,” Chris said. “We knew it was an incredible story. He wanted it done the right way.”
It is the first movie from Giving Films, which uses its profits to help widows and orphans.
“My prayer for those who come to hear Don speak is that they leave with fresh hope and the knowledge that Jesus Christ is passionate about them and desires not only that they spend eternity with Him, but that they are able to live now in the freedom that accompanies our hearts when we put our trust in him,” Young said, also on the eve of their church series called “Eternity Future.”
“Having Don was really a perfect fit as we wanted to address these key topics,” he added.
Don’s speaking event is free of charge and there is no registration needed.
Young encourages people to arrive by 10 a.m. due to the expected large audience at Word of Grace Church at 9021 Mayfield Road.
“I think God is still in the miracle business and I think he answers prayers,” Don said.
