Prayer times literally ‘out of this world’

During the Covid pandemic, Christians had to learn how to engage with church differently because of national restrictions. Now, two NASA astronauts have taken virtual church to a whole new level.

Christians Barry Wilmore and Tracy Dyson, who were among the four astronauts on the Boeing Starliner’s flight to the International Space Station (ISS) in June, are members of Providence Baptist Church in Pasadena, Texas.

Wilmore and fellow lead astronaut Suni Williams were meant to return on the same spacecraft eight days later, but could not because of technical complications with the Starliner during its inaugural mission, such as helium leaks and faulty thrusters.

While they are safe in the ISS with plenty of food, water and air, Wilmore, whose fate had been uncertain for weeks, will have to remain in space until February next year, before returning on a SpaceX capsule. Dyson was already due to spend six months on the ISS, and returned in September.

Both astronauts have been participating in services and prayer meetings online from the ISS and have even given their congregation a virtual tour of the ISS.

Asked about the impact their time in space has had on their congregation, Tommy Dahn, the church’s pastor told en: ‘Shortly after he (Wilmore) arrived on the station, NASA linked us up for a joint worship service, in which Barry delivered a short devotional study and Tracy led our congregation, along with the nine on the space station, in singing Amazing Grace together.

‘Barry also recorded another lesson at the station and we played it during one of our Sunday evening corporate prayer services. That was quite exciting for the entire congregation.’

Wilmore, who is an elder in the church, and has been involved with it for 17 years, is no stranger to being deployed away from home, albeit not for this long, and Dahn revealed that while the church are looking out for his family (wife and daughters), they are used to him being away from home.

Wilmore has been in regular contact with the church to offer support and ensure his responsibilities are being covered. He has said that he did not need to go to space to learn about God, because ‘His word is sufficient.’

Before the Starliner launched in June, he told reporters: ‘Our families have been a part of this from the beginning. As far as preparing them, they’re prepared. We trust in our sovereign God. Whatever the plan is, we’re ready for it, whatever that might be.’