By Mallory Mattingly
When astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore found himself trapped in space for nine months, his faith in Jesus carried him through those 286 days.
Wilmore and his counterpart Suni Williams left Earth last June, expecting to be home a little over a week later. But a problem with their Boeing Starliner capsule’s thrusters left them stranded in orbit, NBC News reported.
During that time, Wilmore’s faith was “vital to existence,” and he often sang “Amazing Grace” and led devotionals with his fellow astronauts.
“The chance to share the gospel and proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord is the driver,” he told CBN News in an interview after returning home.
When the astronauts received the news of the SpaceX rescue plan, Wilmore was cautious about getting his and his family’s hopes up.
“I told my wife, Deanna, several times, ‘I’m not getting excited until it happens,'” he explained.
But just last month, Butch Wilmore and Williams splashed down in the Gulf of America. Now they need to adjust back to life with to gravity.
“What used to take me eight hours, I get about an hour and a half in, and I’m spent,” Wilmore said.
Even though spending nine months in space wasn’t part of his plan, he trusts that God used it as an opportunity to strengthen his faith.
“Was it my plan? My plans are not usually the right plans. The Lord’s always are,” Wilmore explained. “Regardless of what takes place, God’s word is clear, and I believe it because I’ve lived it — God is always good.”
While in space, the astronaut tuned in to his church, Providence Baptist Church in Pasadena, Texas, via online services.
While at the press conference on the Monday after they returned to Earth, Wilmore was asked by one journalist about why attending church services from space was important for him to do.
Related: Gary Sinise Applauds The Monumental Achievement of NASA Astronauts
“Well, goodness, the Word of God…I need it,” the astronaut said in confidence. “My pastors are the finest pastors on or off, in this case, the planet.”
“And to tie in and to worship with my church family was vital,” he added. “I mean, it’s part of what makes me go.”
Wilmore also watched Grace Baptist Church in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, through a friend he has there.
“A buddy of mine is an elder there and a pastor there, and I would watch their service as well, every single week,” he said.
“Part of what I need, as a believer in Jesus Christ, to continue that focus — a system, day in and day out, because I need that fellowship, even though it’s fellowship from afar,” he continued.
The fellowship wasn’t the same for Wilmore up in space, but it was still something that he “needed.”
Please pray for Butch Wilmore and Williams as they continue to adjust to life back on earth.
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