ABOUT US

WHAT’S THIS SITE ALL ABOUT?

Seems like it’s hard to have a civil conversation these days about anything except the weather. But there are some topics we need to talk about. We long for answers. We want proof, assurance, some evidence that will help us grapple with the questions that point to purpose and meaning in life.

One of the most enduring questions: What happens after this life? It’s been shrouded in mystery, fear, and anxiety. Cloaked in various religious or secular explanations, this question begs at us sooner or later as we consider our own mortality or the lives of our loved ones.

Consider the elaborate ceremonies and massive wealth that have surrounded funerals through the ages, from the Great Pyramids to warrior pyres. Children want to know where beloved pets go. Individuals and entire societies wrestle with what’s worth dying for.

Some interesting research indicates that what we believe about the afterlife has measurable effects on our health and happiness here and now. What if this ultimate mystery wasn’t quite so mysterious? What if we had new evidence that gave us a peek behind the curtain? Maybe not enough to know everything, but more than we’ve had before in terms of a body of reliable data. Is that data pointing us toward something real, knowable, and true?

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NEW SCIENCE, NEW DISCOVERIES

Near-death experiences (NDE) became a term almost 50 years ago describing the specific condition of having “died”—no brain waves, no heart beat—but later being resuscitated. During the time of physical death, survivors describe seeing places, people, and beings in vivid detail.

The world of science largely ignored what seems on the face of it to be non-material study, that is, outside the normal boundaries science can observe or measure. That is changing. An increasing body of research now verify claims made by people without brain or heart function in the material world. As more studies arrive (900 and counting) the tide has turned. Skeptics, researchers, and lay people have become fascinated with what we are learning and the picture that emerges when statistically valid studies look at NDEs.

This site is dedicated to exploring near-death experiences and what they can tell us about the possibility of life after this life. It’s not exhaustive, but designed to spur conversation as we all process this really important question.

WHO MADE THIS SITE?

In 2008, a group of pastors from various denominations and backgrounds formed a 501c3 called Christ Together Greater Austin. Their goal is to raise the spiritual temperature of our city, creating safe and honest conversations about the Gospel. Past efforts included their city-wide campaigns “Love Where You Live: The Art of Neighboring” and “Explore God.”

WHO MADE THIS SITE?

In 2008, a group of pastors from various denominations and backgrounds formed a 501c3 called Christ Together Greater Austin. Their goal is to raise the spiritual temperature of our city, creating safe and honest conversations about the Gospel. Past efforts included their city-wide campaigns “Love Where You Live: The Art of Neighboring” and “Explore God.”

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WHO IS JOHN BURKE?

John Burke is the author of the New York Times best-selling book Imagine Heaven. He also authored Unshockable Love, No Perfect People Allowed, and Soul Revolution. He is the lead pastor at Gateway Church in Austin, which he and his wife Kathy founded in 1998. Before all that, John himself was a skeptic of religion and engineer by training. While watching his father die of cancer, he read a book by Dr. Raymond Moody who coined the term near death experiences. That began a 35-year journey of study into the phenomena. He has spoken in 15 countries and appeared on numerous television and radio shows to talk about NDEs and heaven.

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GET YOUR FREE COPY OF WHAT’S AFTER LIFE?

More than one thousand accounts of near-death experiences shaped the insights in this book by New York Times best-selling author, John Burke. If you’ve lost a loved one, received a frightening diagnosis, or wondered about what happens after death, this concise look at the life to come will bring you hope and reassurance.

For your free copy, visit audiobooks.com/promo and enter promo code: whatsafteratx

Note: There is no need to enter your credit card information. However, you will need to create a free account and download the Audiobooks app. If you already have an Audiobooks account, visit the “My Account” page to enter the promo code.