Astronaut Barry Wilmore Returns to Earth, Giving Glory to Jesus after 9-Month Mission
A well-known Christian ministry is celebrating the long-awaited return of two NASA astronauts, one of whom is a friend of the organization. Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams safely returned to Earth this week aboard a SpaceX craft after an unexpected nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station that was extended due to technical issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which was originally intended for a short-term test flight but remained docked due to safety issues.
Wilmore is a friend of the Christian ministry Answers in Genesis. Its CEO, Ken Ham, wrote upon the astronauts’ splashdown, “Praise the Lord!”
“He’s kept in touch with us during his unexpectedly long stay aboard the International Space Station,” Ham wrote on his blog. “We’re thrilled that he and Williams have returned to our planet safely and have begun their rehabilitation as they adjust to the effects of gravity on their bodies. Please be in prayer for that process that there would not be any long-term health consequences due to the length of their stay.”
Wilmore often speaks about his faith. Asked this month by CBS News to name his biggest takeaway from his lengthy time in space, he pointed to Christ.
“My feeling on all of this goes back to my faith,” Wilmore 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, and however that plays out, I am content.”
Wilmore added, “He’s at work in all things. Some things for the good -- go to Hebrews chapter 11 -- and some things look to us to be not so good. But it’s all working out for His good, for those that will believe.”
Astronomical faith!
— Tony Perkins (@tperkins) March 17, 2025
CBS News reporter Mark Strassmann to astronaut Butch Wilmore: What is your life lesson or takeaway from these nine months in space?
“My feeling on all of this goes back to my faith. It's bound in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is working out His plan… pic.twitter.com/uTYDUBi0wt
Wilmore is scheduled to speak at Answers in Genesis July 12 for the inaugural Astronauts Encounter.
“Barry loves Jesus and is so bold about his faith,” Ham said.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/NASA/Handout
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published March 20, 2025.
