Artemis II photo of the Earth setting behind the lunar surface (Image credit: NASA)
Artemis II is the first crewed flight of NASA’s Artemis program, using the Orion spacecraft “Integrity” to carry four astronauts around the Moon and back, the first step to establishing a long-term presence on the Moon.
On April 6, 2026, the astronauts traveled farther from Earth than any humans in history—breaking the record set by Apollo 13 in 1970. They became the first humans to observe the far side, or “dark side,” of the Moon from space since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, capturing high-resolution photographs of lunar features. At their closest point, they passed roughly 4,000 miles above the lunar surface.
Artemis II astronaut and Orion spacecraft pilot Victor Glover publicly shared the gospel during the lunar mission, delivering multiple faith‑centered messages while traveling around the Moon and looking back at Earth from space.
Glover’s most explicit gospel statements occurred during the mission’s Easter weekend broadcasts and just before the crew lost communication on the far side of the Moon. When asked if he had any Easter reflections, he responded with an impromptu message about God’s creation and Earth’s special place in the universe, humanity’s shared identity, and the need for unity.
During the lunar flyby, passing behind the Moon just before the spacecraft lost radio contact, Glover delivered a beautiful Christian message to the entire planet. He recited the teachings of Jesus Christ (Matthew 22:37-39) on the greatest commandment:
“As we get close to the nearest point to the Moon and farthest point from Earth, as we continue to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos, I would like to remind you of one of the most important mysteries there on Earth. And that’s love. Christ said, in response to what was the greatest command, that it was to love God with all that you are. And He also, being a great teacher, said the second is equal to it, and that is to love your neighbor as yourself. And so, as we prepare to go out of radio communication, we still feel your love from Earth. And to all of you down there on Earth, and around Earth, we love you, from the Moon.”
NASA Public Affairs Officer Leah Cheshier responded: “Poignant words from NASA astronaut Victor Glover. And a little bit of a love letter from the other side of the moon, all the way to Earth. Glover touching on the teachings of Jesus, including to love your neighbor as yourself. And this really beautiful view of a crescent moon and a crescent Earth. How great Thou art.”
(This was a fitting quote from 2 Samuel 7:22, bringing to mind Psalm 104:1-35, where the psalmist reflects on the majesty and beauty of God’s creation. The verse speaks to the greatness of God as seen in the wonders of nature, declaring His power and glory.)
These messages were broadcast to mission control, media outlets, and the public. Imagine all the science enthusiasts who tuned in to the NASA broadcast and heard from the Bible!
Glover’s career is a rare example of someone who openly integrates deep scientific expertise with devout spiritual conviction. He describes Christianity as the foundation that has shaped his discipline, courage, and sense of purpose throughout his military and NASA service. His own words across multiple interviews make it clear that he sees no separation between his work in space and his walk with God. His faith is the engine behind his courage, the lens through which he sees the universe, and the compass guiding his leadership and humility.
How Astronauts Have Expressed Faith in Space
- Victor Glover (ISS & Artemis II)
- Brought communion cups to the ISS during his 2020-21 mission.
- Reads the Bible during missions.
- Participated in virtual worship services from orbit.
- Posted photos from space that reminded him of Scripture.
- Said his career is “built on a foundation of faith” and that he prays before every risky task.
- Butch Wilmore (ISS Commander)
- Strongly affirms the inerrancy of Scripture.
- Says the Bible is “absolutely true” and accurate where it speaks to science.
- His time in space reinforced his belief in God’s design and sovereignty.
- Jeffrey Williams (534 days in space)
- Spent more than a year and a half in orbit.
- Frequently spoke about the “grandeur” of Earth as God’s creation.
- Said the view from space strengthened his belief that Earth is uniquely designed by God.
- Believes science is best understood “through the biblical lens.”
- Charlie Duke (Apollo 16 Moonwalker)
- One of only 12 humans to walk on the Moon.
- Seeing Earth rise from the lunar surface reminded him of Job 26:7 (“He suspends the Earth upon nothing”).
- Described the Earth as a “jewel suspended in the blackness of space.”
- Said the experience deepened his conviction that God created the universe.
- Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11 Moonwalker)
- An elder at Webster Presbyterian Church in Texas.
- Performed the first Christian communion on the Moon using small vial of wine and a wafer, consecrated by his pastor before launch.
- Read a passage from the Gospel of John.
- This was during the Apollo 11 mission, inside the Eagle lunar module, on the Moon’s Sea of Tranquility, shortly after landing on July 20, 1969.
NASA and Religion
NASA has historically allowed astronauts to practice their personal faith in space, but it maintains a strict separation between the agency and any official religious endorsement. This principle became important after the Apollo 8 controversy. Apollo 8 astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders took turns reading Genesis 1:1-10 from the King James Bible while orbiting the Moon on December 24, 1968, during a live Christmas Eve broadcast from lunar orbit—the first time humans ever orbited the Moon. NASA had only instructed the crew to say something “appropriate.”
The moment is remembered as one of the most powerful intersections of space exploration and human reflection. It was the most-watched television broadcast of its time, with an estimated one billion viewers across 64 countries. An atheist activist sued NASA, claiming that reading from Genesis on-air violated the First Amendment. The case was dismissed, but NASA became more cautious afterward due to concerns about religious controversy.
Nevertheless, these days NASA seems to be more open to letting Christians express themselves. For example, The Christian Post reported that the National Anthem was sung at the launch ceremony by Christian singer Anne Wilson. Christian singer-songwriter TobyMac revealed on Facebook that “Good Morning,” a song he wrote with the late gospel singer Mandisa, was played inside the Orion space capsule.
Christians in Space
Astronauts like Glover, Williams, Duke, and Wilmore have openly and publicly shared how space strengthened their faith. Many astronauts pray before launches, spacewalks, or during quiet moments in orbit. Glover said: “Anytime I do something risky, I pray—before I fly, every time I fly, definitely when you go sit on top of a rocket ship.” Other astronauts have also taken communion privately during missions.
For Christian astronauts, space travel provides a unique perspective on the universe. Nearly all describe the view of Earth as spiritually overwhelming. They often connect the experience to Scripture about creation, order, and God’s majesty. Many speak at churches, schools, and conferences after returning.
Christian astronauts demonstrate that faith and science can coexist. “They don’t actually work against each other like some people like to claim that they do,” said Glover. Indeed, modern science increasingly supports Christian theism, offering inspiration to believers and anyone interested in space exploration.
