Astronaut Stranded in Space Boldly Shares His Faith in Jesus Christ

NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore boldly praised Jesus Christ during a CBS interview before returning to Earth after being stranded in space for 286 days.

Most of us get frustrated when we’re stuck in traffic for an hour, but imagine being stuck in space for more than nine months!

Missing your children’s milestones, loved ones, home-cooked meals, and even the simple joy of fresh air.

That’s exactly what happened to astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, and Wilmore’s faith helped him through the entire ordeal.

From One Week to Nine Months

What should have been a short one-week test flight on Boeing’s new Starliner spacecraft turned into a 286-day stay at the International Space Station.

The astronauts launched on June 5, 2024, but problems with the Starliner’s thrusters during docking raised safety concerns. NASA decided to send the empty spacecraft back to Earth in September, leaving Wilmore and Williams at the space station.

Both retired Navy captains quickly adapted to their new reality. They changed from guests to full crew members, running experiments and performing spacewalks.

Williams even set a record during this time – spending 62 hours over nine spacewalks, the most time spent spacewalking among all female astronauts.

Faith Above Earth

When CBS News asked Wilmore about lessons learned during this unexpected mission, he didn’t hesitate to share his faith.

“I can tell you honestly, my feeling on all of this goes back to my faith,” Wilmore said. “It’s bound in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

He continued with confidence: “He is working out his plan and his purposes for his glory throughout all of humanity, and how that plays into our lives is significant and important, and however that plays out, I am content because I understand that.”

Wilmore even pointed to scripture: “I understand that he’s at work in all things, some things are 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 all those that will believe. And that’s the answer.”

Astronomical faith!
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

— Tony Perkins (@tperkins) March 17, 2025

Staying Connected with His Church

Throughout his time in space, Wilmore kept strong ties with his church family at Providence Baptist Church in Pasadena, Texas. He used the space station’s communication system to join prayer services and reach out to sick church members.

His pastor shared that Wilmore had written to him saying his time in space “has only affirmed what he already believed. God’s Word is sufficient.”

As Family Research Council President Tony Perkins noted on social media, Wilmore showed “Astronomical faith!”

Political Attention and Rescue Plans

The situation caught political attention in late January when President Trump asked SpaceX founder Elon Musk to speed up their return. Trump blamed the delay on the Biden administration.

Despite being caught in this political situation, Wilmore and Williams stayed professional, supported NASA’s decisions, and never cast blame.

NASA arranged for their return aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule alongside NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, who had arrived at the station in September 2024.

Coming Home at Last

On March 18, 2025, Wilmore and Williams finally splashed down in the Gulf of America near Tallahassee, Florida. Their SpaceX capsule parachuted safely into the water in the early evening, just hours after leaving the space station.

In a special welcome, dolphins greeted the spacecraft as it landed in the Gulf waters. By the time they touched down, the astronauts had orbited Earth 4,576 times and traveled 121 million miles.

“We’ll miss you, but have a great journey home,” NASA’s Anne McClain called out from the space station as their capsule pulled away.

WATCH: Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams Return to Earth

The extended stay created personal challenges too. Wilmore, 62, missed most of his younger daughter’s senior year of high school.

Williams, 59, could only talk to her mother through internet calls from space.

Both astronauts had to wait until they reached Houston to reunite with their families.

Faith That Reaches Beyond Earth

Wilmore’s testimony from space brings to life the words of Psalm 139:7-10: “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.“

Take a moment today to remember that nothing—not distance, not circumstances, not even space itself—can separate you from God’s presence.

When your plans change unexpectedly or challenges seem overwhelming, remember Wilmore’s calm confidence while stranded for 286 days.

Look up at the stars tonight and remind yourself: if God’s hand could hold Wilmore steady in orbit, He certainly can guide you through whatever you’re facing right now.

WATCH: NASA Astronaut Butch Wilmore Praises Jesus in Space

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