Landon Whitley was just 8 years old on October 19, 1997, when a tragedy changed his life forever. Sitting in the backseat as his family drove home from church, Landon’s father, Andy, was driving and his mother, Julie Kemp, was sitting next to him. As they approached an intersection, their car collided with an ambulance returning to the station.
According to Julie: “I didn’t see the ambulance arriving, but I remember my husband screaming. That’s the last thing I heard from him. Andy tragically died at the scene and Julie, although seriously injured, was stabilized by rescuers.
Landon, however, went unnoticed at first. Emergency responders did not see him in the car due to extensive damage to the driver’s side, where he was sitting behind his father. It wasn’t until they found Landon’s shoe that they realized a child was in the vehicle. As reported CBN NewsLandon was eventually discovered unconscious and not breathing. Immediate efforts to resuscitate him were followed by airlifting him from the scene.
Landon’s fight for survival was nothing short of extraordinary. He died three times that day, only to be revived each time. Still, his prognosis was grim. Doctors warned Julie that if he survived, he could suffer irreversible brain damage, leaving him unable to walk, talk or eat. Julie recalls: “I was desperate, but I was willing to accept whatever state he was in. He was all I had left. »
While Landon clung to life, Julie faced another unimaginable burden: saying goodbye to her husband at his funeral. Overwhelmed by grief, she found herself struggling with her faith. “I was heartbroken. I didn’t understand why God allowed this to happen,” Julie admitted. Despite her anger, she prayed fervently for Landon’s survival.
Miraculously, two weeks after the accident, Landon woke up. To everyone’s surprise, he showed no signs of brain damage. Although his recovery was a source of immense joy, Julie had a hard time telling Landon that his father had passed away. But before she could, Landon surprised her with a revelation. “I asked him if he knew where his father was, and he said, ‘Yes, I saw him in heaven,'” Julie said.
Landon’s experiences didn’t stop there. He described seeing other dead family members, including two siblings his parents never told him about. “I knew they were my brothers and sisters, even though no one had ever told me about them. In heaven, you know that,” Landon explained. These experiences offered Julie a sense of peace, confirming her belief in an afterlife.
During his third near-death experience, Landon said he met Jesus, who gave him a profound mission. “Jesus told me to come back to Earth, live as a devoted Christian and spread his message,” Landon explained. He now devotes his life to this mission, emphasizing the reality of Heaven, angels and the importance of following the teachings of Jesus.
Julie and Landon have since turned their tragedy into a ministry, offering comfort and hope to those grieving the loss of loved ones. “I didn’t understand in 1997 why God didn’t send an angel, but now I realize there were angels present. We have been protected and are now living according to His plan,” Julie reflected.
Today, Landon remains committed to sharing his story, inspiring countless people to strengthen their faith. Julie added, “It’s a blessing to see my son fulfilling Jesus’ mission. He has first-hand knowledge of Heaven and is eager to share it with the world.
“This incredible story reminds us of the power of faith, the promise of eternal life, and the profound way God can use our pain for a greater purpose.”
