Faith Lessons From Space: Christ's Light in Dark Space
The prospect of being in space includes privileges and profound sacrifices: Muscles atrophy and bone density can also drop (e.g. 1% per month) in microgravity (NASA, 2024). Astronauts must fight hard against the negative effects of space. Therefore, they train hard for their specific missions. But what if those missions change and go wrong?
Imagine being such a NASA astronaut. You have prepared and trained hard specifically to be on an eight day mission knowing you would quickly return home. But something goes wrong and you are stranded in space for over nine months. Think of the effects on the human body and on the mind.
Consider being confined in a small space for an indefinite time. Many people struggle with MRI's because of claustrophobia. Just imagine the physical and emotional strain of indefinite confinement.
The Nightmare
That is exactly what happened to Captain Suni Williams and Captain Barry “Butch” Wilmore: Stranded aboard the International Space Station for over nine months, they floated in confinement. They were stranded and also abandoned. How did this happen?
While supplies were transported to the astronauts, politics (i.e. the Biden administration) stopped the astronauts from being rescued. Helium leaks, thruster failures and scheduled spacewalks combined into a comprehensive challenge.
Christ’s Light in Dark Space
Yet, in the midst of the darkness of space, Captain Wilmore shared the light of Jesus as he experienced the Lord’s love and light, which never faded. He has shared that this experience was filled with challenges but his faith in Jesus was key to his successful endurance. When Butch Wilmore was asked about what was his life lesson from being in space for over nine months, he said with assurance, “My feeling on all of this goes back to my faith,” he said. “It’s bound in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is working out His plan and His purposes for His glory throughout all of humanity and how that plays in our lives is significant and important.”
Military Heroism
Butch Wilmore is an accomplished hero. In 2009 he was in space as pilot aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. He’s a Navy veteran pilot with over 8,000 flight hours and 663 aircraft carrier landings. He also completed 21 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm. (We salute you, sir!)
Suni Williams is also a hero as a retired and decorated Navy pilot. (We salute you!) She holds the distinction of having run the first marathon in space back in 2017. Impressively, she ran 26.2 miles on a treadmill in four hours and 24 minutes while in space as she fought away the atrophy. She has completed nine space walks for a total of 62 hours, six minutes of spacewalk. Throughout her career, Captain Williams has spent 608 days in space making her the astronaut with the second most number of days spent in space.
Waiting for Relief in Space from Politically-based Problems
Both astronauts waited for relief. Butch Wilmore’s daughter Daryn shared, “It’s been hard if we’re completely honest.” She shared her frustration is “less the fact that he’s up there’ and ‘more the fact of why… There’s a lot of politics, there’s a lot of things that I’m not at liberty to say, and that I don’t know fully about. There’s been issues. There’s been negligence. And that’s the reason why this has just kept getting delayed. There’s just been issue after issue after issue.”
Nevertheless, Captain Wilmore chose to see the things out of his control as part of God’s perfect plan and he went on to say, “However that [the delay] plays out, I am content because I understand that He’s at work in all things. Some things are for the good. Go to Hebrews chapter 11; some things look to us to be not so good. But it’s all working out for His good, for those that will believe, and that’s the answer.”
Relief and Rescue
President Trump and Elon Musk made swift arrangements to rescue both astronauts through Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The SpaceX capsule called Crew Dragon is a largely self-driving spacecraft. The voyage lasted 17 hours and circled the Earth at over 17,000 miles per hour.
Captain Wilmore and Captain Williams landed in the Gulf of America on March 18, 2025 accompanied by astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Butch and Suni were removed from the capsule on gurneys due to their physical weakness and need to reacclimate to Earth. They are currently in recovery from the physical and emotional repercussions of being in space for so long. Due to living in zero gravity for months, their bodies are weakened and stressed.
Pray for Recovery Let’s pray for the astronauts and their families as they recover from this traumatic experience.
We believe this story reminds us that Jesus never abandons His children no matter what. He is with us moment by moment and we know that all things will be made right one day when Jesus returns. So let’s shine His light and live for Him –on earth and beyond.
God bless,Dr. Carrie Stoelting and Stacie Stoelting Hudzinski
ReferenceNASA. (2024, March 21). Counteracting bone and muscle loss in microgravity. NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/counteracting-bone-and-muscle-loss-in-microgravity/#:~:text=For every month in space,and muscle is called atrophy.
Imagine being such a NASA astronaut. You have prepared and trained hard specifically to be on an eight day mission knowing you would quickly return home. But something goes wrong and you are stranded in space for over nine months. Think of the effects on the human body and on the mind.
Consider being confined in a small space for an indefinite time. Many people struggle with MRI's because of claustrophobia. Just imagine the physical and emotional strain of indefinite confinement.
The Nightmare
That is exactly what happened to Captain Suni Williams and Captain Barry “Butch” Wilmore: Stranded aboard the International Space Station for over nine months, they floated in confinement. They were stranded and also abandoned. How did this happen?
While supplies were transported to the astronauts, politics (i.e. the Biden administration) stopped the astronauts from being rescued. Helium leaks, thruster failures and scheduled spacewalks combined into a comprehensive challenge.
Christ’s Light in Dark Space
Yet, in the midst of the darkness of space, Captain Wilmore shared the light of Jesus as he experienced the Lord’s love and light, which never faded. He has shared that this experience was filled with challenges but his faith in Jesus was key to his successful endurance. When Butch Wilmore was asked about what was his life lesson from being in space for over nine months, he said with assurance, “My feeling on all of this goes back to my faith,” he said. “It’s bound in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is working out His plan and His purposes for His glory throughout all of humanity and how that plays in our lives is significant and important.”
Military Heroism
Butch Wilmore is an accomplished hero. In 2009 he was in space as pilot aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. He’s a Navy veteran pilot with over 8,000 flight hours and 663 aircraft carrier landings. He also completed 21 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm. (We salute you, sir!)
Suni Williams is also a hero as a retired and decorated Navy pilot. (We salute you!) She holds the distinction of having run the first marathon in space back in 2017. Impressively, she ran 26.2 miles on a treadmill in four hours and 24 minutes while in space as she fought away the atrophy. She has completed nine space walks for a total of 62 hours, six minutes of spacewalk. Throughout her career, Captain Williams has spent 608 days in space making her the astronaut with the second most number of days spent in space.
Waiting for Relief in Space from Politically-based Problems
Both astronauts waited for relief. Butch Wilmore’s daughter Daryn shared, “It’s been hard if we’re completely honest.” She shared her frustration is “less the fact that he’s up there’ and ‘more the fact of why… There’s a lot of politics, there’s a lot of things that I’m not at liberty to say, and that I don’t know fully about. There’s been issues. There’s been negligence. And that’s the reason why this has just kept getting delayed. There’s just been issue after issue after issue.”
Nevertheless, Captain Wilmore chose to see the things out of his control as part of God’s perfect plan and he went on to say, “However that [the delay] plays out, I am content because I understand that He’s at work in all things. Some things are for the good. Go to Hebrews chapter 11; some things look to us to be not so good. But it’s all working out for His good, for those that will believe, and that’s the answer.”
Relief and Rescue
President Trump and Elon Musk made swift arrangements to rescue both astronauts through Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The SpaceX capsule called Crew Dragon is a largely self-driving spacecraft. The voyage lasted 17 hours and circled the Earth at over 17,000 miles per hour.
Captain Wilmore and Captain Williams landed in the Gulf of America on March 18, 2025 accompanied by astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Butch and Suni were removed from the capsule on gurneys due to their physical weakness and need to reacclimate to Earth. They are currently in recovery from the physical and emotional repercussions of being in space for so long. Due to living in zero gravity for months, their bodies are weakened and stressed.
Pray for Recovery Let’s pray for the astronauts and their families as they recover from this traumatic experience.
We believe this story reminds us that Jesus never abandons His children no matter what. He is with us moment by moment and we know that all things will be made right one day when Jesus returns. So let’s shine His light and live for Him –on earth and beyond.
God bless,Dr. Carrie Stoelting and Stacie Stoelting Hudzinski
ReferenceNASA. (2024, March 21). Counteracting bone and muscle loss in microgravity. NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/counteracting-bone-and-muscle-loss-in-microgravity/#:~:text=For every month in space,and muscle is called atrophy.
In Loving Memory
Our longtime close family friend, Pastor Gary Swick, joined Jesus after a horrible car accident. This sudden loss hurts many hearts —including ours. Please pray for his beloved wife, kids, grandkids, and his parents. (It is the second widowhood for Gary's wonderful wife.) Pray for his church, where he served as senior pastor. The Swick family has been "family" to us for years and years. We look expectantly to the day when Christ returns and no more sorrow exists. This one really hurts.
We thank God for Gary's Godly legacy and impact. Faithful. Friendly. Loving and much-loved. Fatherly. That's Gary. Till we meet again, dear friend. Well done.
With prayers,Stacie and Carrie
We thank God for Gary's Godly legacy and impact. Faithful. Friendly. Loving and much-loved. Fatherly. That's Gary. Till we meet again, dear friend. Well done.
With prayers,Stacie and Carrie
NASA Astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore Shares About Jesus In Space
While stranded in space NASA Astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore boldly shares about Jesus Christ. Be inspired!
Featured Bible Verse
Featured Quote
"My feeling about all of this goes back to my faith. It's tied to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is working out His plan and purposes for His glory through all of humanity, and how that plays out in our lives is meaningful and important...I understand that He works in all things, some for the good — see Hebrews Chapter 11 — and others seem not so good to us. But all things work together for...good, for all who believe." -Barry "Butch" Wilmore
WATCH: Astronauts Exit SpaceX Dragon Capsule After Return to Earth
Here is footage of Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore disembarking the SpaceX capsule. Please pray for their recovery as their bodies have weakened substantially and health issues have arisen because of being left in space so long without having planned for it.
Unite the USA's
Featured Veteran of the Month: Gary Rose
Medal of Honor Recipient Gary Rose shares his experiences during the Vietnam War.
How to Know Jesus
Question: How do Stacie and Carrie know they'll go to Heaven?
Answer: It's not because of what they've done or who they are. It's because Jesus lives in them. Anything good in them is because of Jesus in them. They know God and His love in a personal way. They've followed what God said in His book: the Bible. They invited Jesus to be their Savior and Lord. You, too, can know God. Yes, He really does love you!
Take His Word for it: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. -John 3:16 (NKJV) For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard.-Rom. 3:23 (NLV) For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us... -Rom. 3:25 (NLV) That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. -Rom. 10:9 (NKJV)
Understand that God loves you with infinite love! God is good, holy and righteous and we fall short of His perfection. So we need a Mediator, Jesus, who lovingly took our punishment for all our mistakes.
Believe that Jesus is God's Son that took your punishment. He took your punishment for all your sins (anti-God ways) and that He rose from the dead for you, __________.
Repent (turn away from) your sins (anti-God ways) and submit yourself to Him as your Lord.
Receive Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord. Talk to God and give your life to Jesus.
Pray from your heart. If it helps, pray something like this: God, I understand now...You sent Jesus to share Your love and make it possible for me to be Yours. Please forgive me for all my sins. Jesus, I believe you took my punishment on the cross and that you rose from the dead for me personally. I turn away from doing things "my way" and ask that You rule my life, Jesus. I receive You as my Savior and Lord. I put my trust in You not in the things I do. I love You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Welcome into God's family! You are now His! Get connected with a loving, Bible-based church, enjoy the supreme joy of being baptized, and savor the Savior's love forever! Read the Bible. (If you don't have one, start reading the Gospel of John by clicking here.)
He'll never divorce you. He'll never die. He'll never change. He loves you! Enjoy loving and obeying Jesus and experiencing His love forever and ever! If you'd like prayer or more information, e-mail us anytime.
Answer: It's not because of what they've done or who they are. It's because Jesus lives in them. Anything good in them is because of Jesus in them. They know God and His love in a personal way. They've followed what God said in His book: the Bible. They invited Jesus to be their Savior and Lord. You, too, can know God. Yes, He really does love you!
Take His Word for it: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. -John 3:16 (NKJV) For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard.-Rom. 3:23 (NLV) For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us... -Rom. 3:25 (NLV) That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. -Rom. 10:9 (NKJV)
Understand that God loves you with infinite love! God is good, holy and righteous and we fall short of His perfection. So we need a Mediator, Jesus, who lovingly took our punishment for all our mistakes.
Believe that Jesus is God's Son that took your punishment. He took your punishment for all your sins (anti-God ways) and that He rose from the dead for you, __________.
Repent (turn away from) your sins (anti-God ways) and submit yourself to Him as your Lord.
Receive Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord. Talk to God and give your life to Jesus.
Pray from your heart. If it helps, pray something like this: God, I understand now...You sent Jesus to share Your love and make it possible for me to be Yours. Please forgive me for all my sins. Jesus, I believe you took my punishment on the cross and that you rose from the dead for me personally. I turn away from doing things "my way" and ask that You rule my life, Jesus. I receive You as my Savior and Lord. I put my trust in You not in the things I do. I love You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Welcome into God's family! You are now His! Get connected with a loving, Bible-based church, enjoy the supreme joy of being baptized, and savor the Savior's love forever! Read the Bible. (If you don't have one, start reading the Gospel of John by clicking here.)
He'll never divorce you. He'll never die. He'll never change. He loves you! Enjoy loving and obeying Jesus and experiencing His love forever and ever! If you'd like prayer or more information, e-mail us anytime.