The Eight-Minute Flight: The Miraculous Story of the Boy Who Choose Earth Instead of Heaven

When a hard hit to the head during a youth football game took Derek Ruth to heaven, he stood face-to-face with Jesus.

A gifted multi-sport athlete and a devout Roman Catholic, Derek Ruth was barely one month shy of his thirteenth birthday when he suffered a traumatic brain injury on the football field. As his family, friends, and even competitors gathered, they prepared for the worst while praying for a miracle, as Derek was on an eight-minute life-flight to the hospital where the heroic doctors would work to save his life. But while everyone waited for news, Derek was spending extended time with Jesus in heaven, who offered him a choice.

The Eight-Minute Flight is the remarkable true story of Derek’s spiritual journey as he moved from the football field to heaven and back home again. Through years of pain, rehabilitation, frustration, and grief, Derek was sustained by his faith and his family, and recounts his journey to refocus his discipline and determination to regain the life he nearly lost.

With a compelling urgency, Derek understands his purpose on earth, his close relationship with Mary and her son, Jesus, and desires to share how faith and family have allowed him to endure. An emotional true story of survival and the resilience of the human spirit, The Eight-Minute Flight provides hope and encouragement for readers that there is more to life than our time on earth.

© 2025 David C Cook (Audiobook): 9780830792283

Release date

Audiobook: 28 October 2025