A remarkable near-death story from California has drawn widespread attention after Mike McKinsey described what he believes he saw during emergency surgery. His ordeal began during his son’s wedding weekend, when he tried to push through what he thought was the flu. However, severe abdominal pain eventually sent him to the hospital, where doctors discovered that his appendix had ruptured days earlier.

Surgeons rushed him into the operating room. Moreover, McKinsey later recalled feeling an overwhelming sense of fear as he wondered if he would see his family again. Then, he says, something extraordinary happened: he turned his head and saw Jesus enter the room and reach out a hand.

According to McKinsey, the moment he accepted that hand, the operating room vanished. He found himself standing on a quiet, grassy hill overlooking what appeared to be a brilliant, unfamiliar city. Light moved across the landscape in soft, glowing beams. He remembers hearing the words, “It’s the glory of the Lord,” before everything faded and he returned to the surgical table.

Doctors told him he had survived one of the worst cases they had encountered. Yet his challenges continued. The next day, he developed pneumonia and a dangerous infection. During this difficult night, he says he again sensed a calming presence and heard reassurance that he would recover.

McKinsey later wrote about the experience, explaining that it changed his outlook on faith, gratitude, and everyday life. His message to others is simple: slow down, listen closely, and notice the moments of grace that often go unseen.