Prologue and Chapter One: The Accident Summary and Analysis

On January 18, 1989, Don Piper dies in a car accident. Paramedics pronounce Piper dead at the scene and proceed to work on other victims for ninety minutes. During that time, Piper goes to heaven, while a Baptist preacher prays for his survival. God answers those prayers and Don returns to earth and to life.

Don Piper attends a conference for the Baptist General Convention of Texas at Trinity Pines. The conference is focused on starting new churches, which is an idea Don has been considering. The conference draws to a close Wednesday morning and the weather has turned cold and rainy. As Don prepares to leave Trinity Pines, he decides to take I-45, also called the Gulf Highway, home instead of Highway 59, which he drove to the conference. Because of a traffic...