A harrowing journey beyond death, monstrous demons, spiritual awakening, and a miraculous return to life—this is the chilling testimony of Steve Kang, a man who says he glimpsed hell itself.
Imagine dying, leaving your physical body behind, and waking up in a place so terrifying, so bleak, and so devoid of hope that you wouldn’t wish it upon the most evil people in history—not even Adolf Hitler or Kim Jong-il. That’s exactly what Steve Kang experienced after he was clinically dead for eight hours following a suicide attempt.
A Brush with Death: The Suicide Attempt That Changed Everything
Steve Kang wasn’t always a pastor. His past was riddled with pain, substance abuse, and spiritual confusion. In his younger years, Steve experimented heavily with drugs—methamphetamine, ecstasy, and a particularly lethal cocktail he ominously referred to as “the cup of death.” Lost in despair and consumed by inner darkness, Steve attempted to end his life.
What followed was more than just a medical emergency—it was a profound spiritual encounter that would alter the course of his existence.
Eight Hours Without a Pulse: “I Died… and Woke Up in Hell”
While surgeons desperately worked to save his life, Steve’s consciousness drifted into what he can only describe as hell—a nightmarish realm unlike anything he had ever imagined. Speaking in interviews and podcasts, Steve paints a vivid, haunting picture:
“There was no light. I don’t remember seeing a single leaf of grass. It was just a rocky, desolate floor. It was cold, dark, and filled with agony.”
This wasn’t the fire-and-brimstone hell often portrayed in movies. It was much worse. The terrain was barren, silent, and devoid of any life. Among the few things he did see were other tormented souls—dozens of them—standing in anguish with heavy chains attached to their bodies. One such chain, Steve recalls, was nailed directly into his belly.
He wasn’t alone.
Towering above them were colossal hooded figures, some as tall as five-story buildings. These monstrous beings, Steve believes, were demons—the gatekeepers of this forsaken place.
“They were in charge. There was no question. You could feel their authority, and it wasn’t kind—it was crushing.”
The Agony of Realization: “I Deserved to Be There”
Though raised in a Buddhist tradition and initially skeptical of Christian theology, Steve says his near-death experience led to a supernatural awakening.
In that place of unrelenting suffering, he had no thoughts of escape, no questions, no words—only pain and the sharp, painful awareness that he was a sinner.
“For the first time in my life, I knew I deserved to be there. I realized I had been a bad person. There was no room for excuses, no lies to tell myself.”
Time moved strangely in this realm. Although he was technically dead for eight hours, Steve says it felt more like 15 or 20 minutes—a short but eternally significant moment that seared itself into his soul.
A Mother’s Prayer and a Divine Rescue
Back in the hospital, Steve’s mother was desperate. She turned not to a doctor, but to a Christian friend—who, ironically, was also Steve’s former drug dealer. That friend rallied eight prayer warriors from their church to intercede for Steve’s life.
Miraculously, as the group prayed, something changed. The doctors—though skilled—couldn’t explain the turnaround. One even called it a “miracle.” Steve is convinced it wasn’t medical science that saved him—it was the power of prayer and divine intervention.
“When they prayed, Jesus called me back. I felt an overwhelming peace, and I heard His voice. That’s when I knew I was being given another chance.”
From Darkness to Redemption: A Life Transformed
After this profound experience, Steve Kang left behind his Buddhist background and drug-filled past. He is now a Christian evangelical pastor, spreading a message of hope, redemption, and eternal life through Jesus Christ. Today, he leads the LA Gospel Community Church in Los Angeles, California.
His story has been shared across platforms and podcasts, including with Christian leader Vlad Savchuk, as a testimony to the power of faith, prayer, and spiritual awakening.
A Final Warning: “I Don’t Want Even My Worst Enemy to Go There”
Perhaps the most chilling takeaway from Steve’s journey is the depth of suffering he encountered—and how desperately he wants others to avoid it.
“I wouldn’t wish hell on anyone. Not even Kim Jong-il. Not even Hitler. I don’t want even my worst enemies to go there.”
His account serves as a stark, emotional reminder that for some, near-death experiences are not filled with white lights or peaceful tunnels. Sometimes, they’re a wake-up call—one that leaves a permanent mark on the soul.
