What if the stories of people who have died and come back could reshape the way you understand God, heaven, and your purpose on earth?
In this fascinating episode of the Collide Podcast, Willow sits down with pastor and bestselling author John Burke to explore what more than 30 years of studying nearly 1,500 near-death experiences has taught him about eternity. John shares how his own journey from skeptical engineer to follower of Christ began while his father was dying of cancer, and how years of interviewing people from every continent have only strengthened his confidence in the God revealed throughout Scripture.
Together, they discuss the remarkable consistency found in near-death experiences across cultures and religions, why these accounts continue to point people toward Jesus, and how a biblical understanding of heaven can transform the way we live today. If you’ve ever wrestled with grief, questioned what happens after death, or wondered whether God is still pursuing those who seem far from Him, this conversation offers thoughtful insight and lasting hope.
Meet John Burke
John is the founder and former lead pastor of Gateway Church in Austin, Texas, a multisite church that has grown to more than 4,500 people since its launch in 1998. He is also the president of Gateway Leadership Initiative, equipping church planters and everyday Christians to “raise the church out of the culture.” John is a New York Times bestselling author of Imagine Heaven and has written several influential books, including No Perfect People Allowed, Soul Revolution, and his newest work, Imagine the God of Heaven. He is passionate about helping people discover the real God revealed through Scripture and confirmed through thousands of NDEs. His story is a powerful example of curiosity transformed into calling.
Connect with John – Website | Instagram
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
- What near-death experiences really are—and why they matter
- The surprising commonalities people report across countries, cultures, and faith backgrounds
- How NDEs align with what Scripture teaches about heaven, God, and life after death
- Why John believes God continues pursuing people with grace until their very last moments
- What convinced him that these experiences cannot be explained by drugs, dreams, or hallucinations
- What people consistently describe about encountering Jesus, God’s love, and heaven
How This Episode Will Encourage You
If you’ve ever feared death, grieved someone you love, questioned God’s goodness, or wondered whether heaven is truly real, this conversation will remind you that our hope in Christ is grounded in something far greater than wishful thinking. You’ll walk away with fresh confidence in God’s relentless love, renewed hope for eternity, and encouragement to live today with an eternal perspective.
Resource Mention: Personal and Powerful Bible Study – Explores how God shows up in our lives in ways that are both deeply personal and undeniably powerful.
