Steve Kang used to be deeply addicted to drugs. He took things like meth, ecstasy, and even made his own deadly mix of drugs that he called “the death bowl.” His life was full of pain, and at one of his lowest moments, he tried to take his own life. He said he felt like something evil, like a dark spirit, pushed him to stab himself.
While doctors were trying to save him from the severe injuries he caused himself, Steve says something strange and terrifying happened. He believes his soul went to a place that he now calls Hell. He says he spent eight hours there, but it felt like only a few minutes. Still, it was so painful and horrifying that it changed his life forever.
Steve described this place as completely dark, with no sunlight, no grass, no trees—just a rocky, cold ground. He said the rocks had a reddish-purple color, and there was no sign of life or beauty. Everything was hopeless. He didn’t see any joy or light at all. It was full of suffering and pain.
He felt like there were other people there too, also in pain, but no one spoke. Everyone was suffering so much that no one could even ask, “How are you?” He remembered feeling a huge, heavy chain wrapped through his body, like he was trapped. He also saw giant shadowy figures—so tall they looked like buildings. These creatures seemed to be demons, and they were watching, maybe judging the people who were suffering.
Steve had grown up Buddhist and didn’t believe in Hell before. But in that place, he says he felt something he’d never felt before: guilt. He realized that he had done wrong in his life. For the first time, he believed he was a sinner and that he truly deserved to be in that awful place. He thought he would be stuck there forever, with no way out.
Back in the real world, his mother was desperate. She didn’t know what to do, so she called her only Christian friend—who, surprisingly, was also Steve’s drug dealer. That friend gathered others and started praying for Steve. Steve says it was those prayers, not just the doctors, that brought him back to life.
While he was still in that dark place, he says he suddenly felt a deep peace. He believes it was Jesus calling him back, pulling him out of the suffering. He remembers feeling like he was being lifted out of Hell and brought back to life.
When he woke up, he was not the same person. He completely turned his life around. He gave up his old faith and became a Christian. Now, he works as a pastor at LA Gospel Community Church in Los Angeles. He shares his story to warn others about the path he was on and to tell people about the change he believes Jesus made in his life.
Steve says he wouldn’t wish what he went through on anyone—not even on terrible people like dictators. He believes Hell is real, it’s terrifying, and he hopes no one ever has to go there.
