3, 2, 1 . . . Blast Off! A Creationist Goes to Space

by Ken Ham on June 5, 2024
Featured in Ken Ham Blog

And it’s off! After several delays, Boeing’s Starliner capsule officially launched its first-ever manned flight from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and is on its way to the International Space Station. Among the crew on board is a friend of ours—Captain Barry “Butch” Wilmore, a Christian and a biblical creationist! And Captain Wilmore isn’t just on board—he is commanding this historic flight!

For the first 24 hours after takeoff, the Starliner will orbit earth before arriving at its destination, where the crew will run many tests and Captain Wilmore will complete a spacewalk to do some maintenance on the ISS before returning home. On the return, the capsule will not land in water—instead, a parachute will slow its entry, with airbags landing it in the desert of Arizona. This important flight is designed to test the Starliner and qualify it for use.

Before Captain Wilmore blasted off, he stopped, wrapped his arms around the support group preparing him for the launch, and prayed with them. His brother also prayed at the wave by a few weeks earlier.

Barry praying at NASA

And as they prepared to leave, Captain Wilmore was telling everyone about Answers in Genesis, the Ark Encounter, and the Creation Museum and how everyone needs to come and visit! You can listen to him share about our ministry in this short clip:

Many months ago at his request, we sent him a variety of AiG, Ark Encounter, and Creation Museum apparel, which were then sent to the ISS and are waiting for him. He plans to put on the apparel and take some photos. Wow, AiG, the Ark, and the museum will be represented in outer space (I never would have dreamed of that 49 years ago when I gave my first creation talk)! Hopefully, we will have photos to share in the coming days.

In the meantime, enjoy these photos of Captain Wilmore at some of our conferences, where he is a popular speaker, and photos from NASA, when he invited Joe Owen, the director of AiG–Latin America, and his family to visit.

  • Joe Owen and Barry Wilmore with wives at the Ark Encounter
  • Joe and Barry speaking
  • Barry Wilmore speaking
  • Barry Wilmore speaking
  • Barry Wilmore speaking
  • Barry Wilmore speaking
  • Barry Wilmore speaking
  • Barry Wilmore presentation
  • Danny Faulkner and Rob Webb podcast
  • Joe Owen and Barry Wilmore families in front of plane
  • Joe and Barry in the Mission Control Center
  • NASA pool facility

Praise the Lord for men like Captain Wilmore, who is very open about his faith and his stand on the truth of God’s Word, beginning in Genesis.

Awesome Facts About Space

How much would you weigh on Jupiter? Which planet has a moon that looks like a pizza? Does it really rain diamonds on Neptune?

Get the answers to these questions and more in an exciting new book for kids from Mark Wainwright and AiG astronomer Dr. Danny Faulkner: Awesome Facts About Space.

This is a great resource that will engage and enthrall children as they learn more about the universe. Awesome Facts About Space is packed with astronomical facts and dazzling photos—and it’s all from a biblical worldview, pointing kids to the awesome Creator of the heavens!

Preorder your copy today at AnswersBookstore.com.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.

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