A G Howard

Howard Storm, born October 26, 1946, is an American minister, writer, and artist. He previously held a position as a professor and department chair in the art field at Northern Kentucky University. His life took a significant turn in 1985 during a trip to Paris, where he experienced a severe medical emergency and subsequently a profound near-death experience (NDE). This event, which he details in his book 'My Descent Into Death,' marked a radical shift from his prior atheistic and aggressive outlook.

Following his NDE, Storm underwent a significant spiritual transformation. He pursued theological studies, earning a Master of Divinity, and was ordained as a minister. He served in pastoral roles for several years. His NDE has been a subject of interest in near-death studies, and his personal account has been shared through various media platforms, including television shows and radio programs. The experience itself involved encounters with spiritual entities, a life review, and visions of the future, prompting him to embrace a path of spiritual service and writing.

Howard Storm's academic background is rooted in the arts. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1969, followed by a Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts from the University of California at Berkeley in 1970. He then moved to Northern Kentucky University in 1972, where he became a professor in the newly established art department and achieved tenure, holding his position for two decades. During this period, Storm described himself as an atheist and an individual with a confrontational demeanor, a disposition that reportedly caused fear among his family members.

In June 1985, while on a student trip in Paris, Storm experienced a sudden and severe duodenal perforation, requiring immediate surgery. During the period leading up to the operation, he believed he was dying. He recounted an out-of-body experience where he encountered hostile, pale figures before hearing a voice instructing him to pray. Upon invoking God, these entities retreated. He was then rescued by beings of light, who showed him a review of his life, highlighting negative aspects. He also received visions of a future world facing challenges, contingent on a global spiritual shift. The beings conveyed that the 'correct religion' is the one that fosters closeness to God and emphasized the importance of loving one another.

Upon recovering from his surgery and subsequent severe illnesses upon returning to the U.S., Storm's life was irrevocably changed by his NDE. The experience's impact remained vivid, prompting him to engage with religious studies. He pursued a Master of Divinity at United Theological Seminary, was ordained, and subsequently served as a pastor for the Zion United Church of Christ in Norwood, Ohio, from 1992 to 2005, and previously at a United Church of Christ in Covington, Ohio. His NDE has been a significant focus of his later life, leading him to author his account and share his story widely.