Written by Gillian Fraser
Article originally published in JOY! Magazine June 2026
When NASA launched the Artemis II mission, the world watched with anticipation. It marked the first crewed journey around the moon in more than 50 years – a historic step in humanity’s return to deep space. The mission itself was technical, precise, and years in the making. But what has followed in its wake is something far more profound. As the crew travelled further from earth than most humans ever have, their reflections did not drift into cold emptiness. Instead, they turned towards wonder, meaning, and ultimately towards Christ. For Christians, this is not surprising. Scripture has long told us that creation speaks. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands” (Psa 19:1). Artemis II has become a fresh reminder of that truth.
Complaints from atheists
I recall seeing a post on social media from a science forum, where people were complaining that they were severely disappointed with the mission. They were science enthusiasts, actively following what was meant to be a science-driven milestone. Instead of hearing purely technical updates, they found astronauts speaking about God, reading Scripture, and even praying. Some comments said it felt like they had tuned into a church service. I smiled reading it. The more we study the universe and explore creation, the closer we are drawn to the Creator. As Werner Heisenberg, Nobel Prize winner and the father of quantum mechanics, once said, “The first gulp from the glass of natural sciences will turn you into an atheist, but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you.” My prayer is that this mission, and the testimonies coming from it, will draw many closer to Christ.
Who was on board Artemis II?
The Artemis II crew consisted of four astronauts: Reid Wiseman, who served as commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency. The mission launched in early April 2026 and lasted just over a week, taking the crew on a lunar flyby before returning safely to earth. It was a carefully planned mission, focused on testing systems ahead of a future lunar landing. But alongside the technical milestones, something else unfolded – something deeply human and deeply spiritual.
Victor Glover’s consistent witness
Readers may remember that JOY! previously featured Victor Glover during his time aboard the International Space Station. At the time, he made headlines for leading communion from space and remaining openly committed to his faith while in orbit. That same quiet boldness has continued on Artemis II. Glover has spoken about the beauty of creation and has never hidden the fact that his faith is central to his life and work. He has said before that his faith, his career, and his calling are “interwoven”. That is evident again here. In an environment where many might keep their beliefs private, he continues to speak about God naturally and without hesitation. Glover delivered several Christ-centred messages from space, including one just before an anticipated 40-minute communication blackout aboard the vessel.
“As we continue to unlock the mystery of the cosmos, I’d like to remind you of one of the most important mysteries there on earth, and that’s love,” Glover said. “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 neighbour as yourself.”
Faith that travels with you
One of the most striking aspects of this mission is that faith was not something left behind on earth. It went with them. There have been reports of Scripture being read during the mission, moments of prayer, and conversations that reflected a Biblical worldview. “This really beautiful view of a crescent moon and a crescent earth … how great Thou art,” a voice from mission control said as the crew neared the dark side of the moon. On day 6 of the mission, the team woke up to the 2011 song “Good Morning” by Christian artists TobyMac and the late Mandisa, who died in April 2024. For many observers, this was unexpected. For believers, it simply makes sense. God is not limited by geography. Whether in a church building or a spacecraft, He remains present.
Reid Wiseman’s turning point
Perhaps the most remarkable story to come out of Artemis II is that of Reid Wiseman. By many accounts, Wiseman did not begin this journey as a man of faith. Before the mission, he described himself as not religious – an atheist. But something shifted.
After returning to earth, Wiseman asked to see a chaplain. When he saw the cross on the chaplain’s collar, he broke down in tears. “There is no other explanation for what I saw and experienced. When we landed back on earth, I saw the cross and just wept.” He later spoke about how deeply that moment affected him. It was not a rehearsed response or a carefully explained position. It was raw. It was real. And it marked a clear turning point. Reports now indicate that he has since given his life to Jesus.
This is significant. Not because it fits a narrative, but because it reflects how God works. Not always through arguments or debates, but through moments that reach the heart. Wiseman went into space with one worldview and returned with another.
When creation confronts you
There is something about seeing creation from that perspective that leaves a mark. It is not just about beauty. It is about scale, order, and the realisation of how small we are. Astronauts often speak about this, but for Wiseman, it seems to have gone deeper. It became personal. It forced him to reconsider what he believed. He said, “It’s not a coincidence that everything is just where it needs to be. When we experienced the sun eclipse behind the moon, I realised we know nothing about the universe. We’re just like a grain of sand.” And this is where Scripture quietly proves true again. Creation does not just exist. It speaks. It points beyond itself. Not everyone responds in the same way, but the invitation is there.
A reminder from Barry Wilmore
This is not the first time we have seen this kind of response. A few years ago, JOY! featured Barry Wilmore, a veteran NASA astronaut who spent extended time aboard the International Space Station. Wilmore is a committed Christian, and he spoke openly about how his time in space strengthened his faith. He said plainly, “What I saw in space confirmed the Bible.”
Wilmore’s perspective was grounded in conviction. He did not go into space searching for answers. He went with a firm belief in God, and what he saw only reinforced it. That stands alongside what we are now seeing with Artemis II – different journeys, but a similar conclusion.
Science and what it can and cannot do
Science is not the enemy of faith. It is a tool that helps us understand how the universe functions. But it does not answer why it exists, or what it ultimately means. Scripture does. This distinction is crucial.
The Artemis II mission is a remarkable achievement of human ingenuity. It reflects years of study, discipline, and precision. But even with all of that knowledge, the deeper questions remain. Why are we here? Why does beauty move us? Why does the universe feel ordered and intentional? Science can describe the mechanics. It cannot explain the meaning.
A shared sense of awe
Across the crew, there was a shared response to what they experienced. Words like “awe” and “wonder” came up repeatedly. These are not careless descriptions. They reflect something genuine. When people who are trained to observe, measure, and analyse begin speaking in those terms, it tells us that something deeper is taking place.
What this mission leaves us with
Artemis II will be remembered as a milestone in space exploration. But for many of us, it will also be remembered for something else. It reminded us that no matter how far we travel, we cannot move beyond the reach of God. Some, like Victor Glover, carry their faith with them and see God more clearly. Others, like Reid Wiseman, encounter something unexpected and begin a new journey altogether. Either way, the message remains the same. The heavens still declare the glory of God.
This article appears in the June 2026 issue of JOY! Magazine. Read the digital version of this magazine here: joygifts.co.za
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Date published: 22/05/2026
Feature image: Sourced from original article printed in JOY! Magazine June 2026
Gallery photos: Sourced from NASA official photography web page
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