NASA astronaut cites faith, church family as encouragements during long mission

Wilmore at a Monday press conference said he relied on Scripture and his church family to keep going during the nine months he spent aboard the International Space Station. Wilmore flew to the station in a Boeing Starliner last summer planning on a short mission lasting only about a week, but NASA extended his stay due to issues with the experimental spacecraft. The conference was the first time Wilmore and fellow astronaut Suni Williams spoke to the press en masse since they returned to Earth aboard a SpaceX ship on March 18.

Wilmore said he watched the online service of his home church, Providence Baptist in Pasadena, Texas, as well as that of Grace Baptist Church in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., every Sunday. Wilmore said remote church wasn’t the same as in-person fellowship, but it sustained him through the daily tasks of his space mission.

How else did Wilmore stay connected to his church? Wilmore, who serves as an elder at his church, called church members and even led devotionals from space during his mission, his pastors told the Christian Broadcasting Network. Wilmore enjoyed his first Sunday back at church after his return flight and recovery period on March 23.