30 minutes …
That’s how long Christian Cater, of Ellwood City, was clinically dead, but Christian made a recovery deemed by doctors and nurses as miraculous.
Four years ago on October 24, the at that time healthy 14-year-old athlete had no idea what that day would bring, and neither did his parents Marcia and John, who prayed over their son.
Marcia’s experience was very personal for her, but as the story about Christian began to make its way around the community, it became apparent to her that a book would be the best way to share the story and help others.
Marcia has written about her experience in “Heartbeat from Heaven,” available on Amazon.
I never wanted to write a book, my degree is in journalism, and I am used to and enjoy writing short things,” Marcia said. “A book was way out of my desire or comfort zone.”
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- Christian’s end of summer party
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- The Cater Family, Marcia, Christian, and John
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- Marcia with her book
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- Dinner at Childrens to celebrate Christian’s recovery
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- Soccer champions
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- Christian returns to basketball
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- Soccer ball signed at prayer service
But, according to Marcia as she was going through the horrifying experience and looking back on the miracle that she witnessed, she was posting things regularly and people kept telling her that she should write a book. She kept ignoring it, until one day.
“One Sunday at church a very Godly woman told me I think you need to write a book about this,” Marcia said. “I knew I couldn’t ignore it anymore. It was truly a labor of love. I did it because I felt like I was being obedient to God. I knew nothing about book publishing, and I didn’t care to know. I just sat down and started typing and what came about was one long version of the story.”
Marcia said it was at that point that she realized she needed help in getting the story ready to publish and get out to the masses. And everything fell into place.
“This was God’s idea and he saw it through from start to finish,” she said. “He brought the people to me that I needed … marketing, book design cover, formatting … every step of the way he was faithful.”
As a result, the story of Christian Cater’s journey is available as inspiration to all.
It was determined that Christian, of Wayne Township, collapsed from a sudden cardiac arrest. Although cases like his are normally fatal, Christian survived and was miraculously healed of all physical and mental impairments. He went on to set school records in soccer and basketball. Christian attended Ellwood City Area schools through fourth grade and graduated in June from Portersville Christian School with high honors. He began classes on August 29, 2022, at Geneva College, where he is studying business management.
The Cater family attends Concord United Methodist Church in North Sewickley Township, which hosted a prayer vigil for Christian the night he collapsed. The prayers and support from the church, the Ellwood City community and others around the world were invaluable to the family during the month that Christian spent in the hospital. The Caters believe that Christian’s recovery is truly an act of God, and the response to their story has been overwhelming yet heartwarming to the Cater family.
“The response has blown me away,” Marcia said. “I figured no one would care about one little story about one little family, but I’ve run into people at the grocery store and other places, and they tell me about how God is speaking to them in their situations whether it be the grieving of a child they lost or any struggles they are facing.”
The responses have been comforting and inspiring to Marcia.
“It made me believe if God could do this in my situation maybe he could do it in theirs,” she said.
And Marcia will never forget the day her son survived. Each year she tries to do something special on October 24th. This year she will attend a speaking engagement where she will present to a crowd of 9th and 10th graders—students who are the age Christian was when he had his sudden cardiac arrest. Marcia pointed out that October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month as well.
“Heartbeat from Heaven” is an uplifting story for any reader, and Marcia especially recommends it for anyone who needs hope, healing, or confirmation that God still performs miracles. It is a 5-star recommendation by readers.
The book costs $10 for paperback and $3.99 for the electronic version on Amazon. Purchase it here.
Marcia with her book
Book Endorsements:
In one moment, a family can be turned upside down. That’s exactly what happened to the Caters when their son experienced sudden cardiac arrest and was dead for more than 30 minutes. This gripping story will walk you through the incredible journey they faced with hope, faith, and belief. Heartbeat from Heaven is an amazing book that will show you that God still does miracles today, even in the most difficult moments of our lives! Heartbeat from Heaven shows us that anything is possible with God and the promises we find throughout the Bible!
– Jason Noble, Real-life pastor behind the character in the film Breakthrough, author of Breakthrough to Your Miracle, and motivational speaker.
The book that you hold in your hand contains a life-changing story of prayer, hope, worship, and waiting. In a moment, the heart of my healthy 14-year-old cousin suddenly stopped. From the first phone call asking for us to mobilize people to pray, through the many weeks of prayer and waiting, I was astonished by the childlike faith of parents who resolved to trust the One who is worthy of it all, even when it appeared all was lost. The words in this book come straight from that journey. My faith was stretched and my life was changed as I read them then. I pray the same for you as you read them now.
– Brad McKoy, Author of Culture of the Few
Be prepared to read an amazing story of how God worked all things together to bring a young man from death to life. I might be tempted to disbelieve some of what is written here if I didn’t know the honesty and simple faith of John and Marcia Cater, having been their pastor for 18 years, and remembering well their son’s unlikely birth. Marcia shows the skills of a newspaper writer, giving us the who, what, when, and where of the story. There is no embellishment, as God’s majesty and mystery require none. Two things that stood out in this story are, first, the importance of God’s church. The Caters didn’t face this battle alone, but as part of a loving and powerful body of believers. Second, how worship music was a daily source of sustenance for this arduous journey. This miracle did not come quick and easy. It required endurance in the midst of disappointment. It’s a story that will give hope to those still in the waiting phase of faith. Take heart. God can work all things together for your good.
– John K. Smith, Retired pastor and author of Rublev’s Trinity: An Ancient Painting, an Awesome God, and You.
For the healthcare professional, Heartbeat from Heaven is an eye-opener that tells the human story of life and death from the enlightening viewpoint of victims of cardiac arrest and their families. Written with the moving words of a mother who saw her healthy son ‘die’ in front of her, Christian’s story is a powerful tale of hope, faith, and survival…
– Samir Saba, MD, Cardiologist
As I was sharing a copy of Marcia’s book, “Heartbeat from Heaven” with a lady from a local church, she said, “Oh, I am proof of miracles.” She then shared with me that just a few short months earlier, she had a stroke and had been life-flighted to a metro hospital. She too, like Christian has fully recovered and is praising the Lord and sharing her story. Miracles are preformed every day; we just need to get the word to those who need encouragement in their daily lives and faith of what can happen.