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Murdered McStay Family Experiencing Heaven's Joy, Believe Family and Friends

Mark Ellis : Dec 17, 2013
God Reports

"Joey was a Believer through and through… I know when he opened his eyes he was looking at Jesus and there will be many people in Heaven because of him." -Mike McStay

people cover(San Diego, CA)—Mystery still surrounds the death of the McStay family, who disappeared in early 2010 from an idyllic northern San Diego community best known for its avocado groves and family-friendly lifestyle. But one thing is not in doubt to family members and close friends – their strong Christian faith and eternal destination.

On November 11th, a motorcyclist found the shallow graves of Joseph "Joey" McStay, his wife Summer, and their two children, 4-year-old son Gianni and 3-year-old son Joe Jr., in Victorville, 105 miles north of their home in Fallbrook. Their abandoned Isuzu Trooper was found near the U.S.-Mexico border shortly after their disappearance.

Joey and his brother Mike grew up in Santo, Texas, a wide spot on a dusty highway with a population of only 315 today. "We attended a little Baptist church but my mom never forced Christianity on us," Mike recalls. "She wanted us to make our own decision."

Mike and JoeyIn Joey's case it was less a 'decision' and more of a power-encounter with God that led him to salvation at age 22. "He was dating a girl he really liked, but she broke it up because she wanted to get right with the Lord," Mike recounts.

Somewhat distraught, Joseph went to meet with an elder in his church, Steve Wilson, about the breakup. As Joey bared his heart with Wilson and the two closed their eyes to pray together, something surprising happened.

"He felt a warmth come on him like a Presence and the room filled with light," Mike says. "His eyes were closed but it was bright white and he was crying. God's Spirit fell on him like a blanket of Daddy's love — He felt the Father's touch."

Joey rushed home to share the experience with his younger brother. As the two drifted off to sleep that night in their loft, Joey excitedly told Mike, "God is real! You can know Him! All you have to do is receive Him."

gravesNot long after this, Mike surrendered his life to Christ as well. "Joey was a Believer through and through," Mike says. "I know when I breathe my last I will awaken in Paradise and I'll see my brother and sister and those little guys, and there will be no more pain…"

"When everything is caving in around you, you have to trust God," Mike adds. "That's when you find out what your faith is based on. It's either built on the Rock or it's built on the sand."

"This kind of tragedy is the catalyst that solidifies your faith."

Read more about Joey's faith and the mystery surrounding what happened to him and his family by Clicking Here.