NASA has announced its first moon crew in 50 years, with intentions to launch the Artemis II by late 2024. The flight will be similar to the Apollo 8 mission from 1968, with a 10-day flight intended to circle around the moon and return. Amongst the crew members is Victor Glover, a devoted Christian who has openly shared his faith during his space missions. In 2020, Glover was part of a SpaceX crew that launched to the International Space Station (ISS). He spent 168 days aboard the station. At the time of his launch, he shared his plans to continue to share in communion and church services. “I actually sent up communion cups and a Bible, and we have really good internet connectivity. So honestly, I will probably continue in what we’ve been doing: virtual service, virtual giving, reading my Bible and praying,” he told the Christian Chronicle.

He shared that God had given him his mission in space and his family as his primary focus. “God assigned me a few really important things: this life, this vessel, but also my wife and that relationship, the two of us becoming one and then the family that we’ve grown with our four daughters,” he said. While up at the ISS, he shared pictures on his Instagram and reflected on the power of God. “Took these photos today,” he said in one post with a picture of the sun on Earth’s horizon. “I love sunrises and sunsets. Can you see the bands of color? They remind me of the scripture in Psalm 30, ‘weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.’ It seems darkest just before sunrise. I wish you all love and light.” In a sermon preached after he returned to Earth, Glover spoke on 2 Peter 1 and encouraged the congregation to pursue their faith. “No matter how long we’ve been in this, whether you’re a preacher, an elder, or a deacon, brand new in your faith walk, we all need to be growing. We have a sinful nature, and we need Jesus,” he said. “Jesus is that bridge that spans sin and gives us a chance of going to heaven.”

At the announcement of Glover’s latest assignment, NASA Administrator said, “This is humanity’s crew.” The crew is comprised of 3 Americans, including Glover, and 1 Canadian: mission commander Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen. Wiseman, Koch, and Glover have all previously lived on the ISS. Buzz Aldrin, who made the first historic moon landing with Neil Armstrong, tweeted his support of the crew. “Congratulations to Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Reid Wiseman of NASA, and Jeremy Hansen, as the NASA Artemis 2 crew in ’24!” he wrote. “This is a great honor, a proud moment for you and for the nation. Your role in carrying out America’s effort in space will be one of high inspiration!” Speaking with Christianity Today, Glover asked for prayers. “Pray for our crew. Pray for the hardware. Pray for the team all around the world that supports this. And the hardest mission of all is the one our families are about to embark on. If you could pray for our families, that would be amazing,” he said. If the 10-day mission goes well, NASA intends to land two astronauts on the moon in 2025.