Another Giant Leap
In the 1990s NBC used an advertising slogan to brand its primetime blocks of shows that featured numerous sitcoms and drama series that dominated the airwaves. The slogan was “Must See TV” and the push was primarily for the NBC sitcoms of the era, and the strategy was to capitalize on their appeal to a mass audience, thus leading to higher Nielsen ratings.
The days before on demand viewing and streaming seem like ancient history now, but families arranged their schedules at times to catch the latest episode of their favorite shows.
Prior to NBC using the term “Must See TV” as a marketing slogan, there were a few moments in American history where the term truly described reality.
The Race Begins
In the 1960s, amid the Cold War and the Vietnam War, there was a light of optimism that began to shine in America. A race was on and the United States was found stuck in the starting blocks while listening to a beeping sound being played on the news and over radio. The Soviet Union had started strong and taken the lead in the Cold War drama known as the Space Race. The first artificial satellite entered outer space. This Soviet-made metal ball named Sputnik 1 was launched on October 4, 1957, and suddenly space was more than science fiction serials and Flash Gordon comics.[1]
President John F. Kennedy’s speech at Rice University on September 12, 1962, turned concepts regarding space travel and exploring the final frontier into a nationwide focus and eventually policy. You likely have heard the key sentence in this speech numerous times, President Kennedy speaking with emphasis and seriousness, in his Boston brogue, declared…
“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard…”[2]
Suddenly the race was on.
East versus west with rocket fuel.
The list of firsts began to grow, and everyone learned these names, either cheering for their respective nation’s accomplishments or lamenting that the other side had achieved the goal first.
First human in space – Soviet Yuri Gargarin
First American in space – Alan Shepard
First to pilot a spacecraft – Alan Shepard
First American to orbit earth – John Glenn
First woman in space – Soviet Valentina Tereshkova
First spacewalk – Soviet Alexei Leonov[3]
The Soviets were winning the race with much credit going to their brilliant scientist Sergei Korolev.[4] Korolev’s death in 1966 stunted the Soviet program. Kennedy’s promise remained unfulfilled, but there were four years left before the end of the decade.
Truly Must-See TV
In the era of three network channels, no 24-hour news reporting, and certainly no streaming, recording, or watching television shows on demand, people organized their schedules around updates and family entertainment. The most-trusted man in America was CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite.[5] Each weekday evening Cronkite was invited into living rooms across the nation and when Apollo 11 landed Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin onto the surface of the moon, while command module pilot Michael Collins orbited above, it was must see TV for the nation, if not the world. The most trust man in America was speechless and all who were watching him report this event on July 20, 1969. The entire world now knew of this “One giant leap for mankind.”[6]
The subsequent Apollo missions were victory laps for the United States as winners of the space race, who truly came from behind to take the gold.
However, over the past fifty years, what was once must-see TV for a nation became commonplace. Moon landings ended with Apollo 17 in December 1972. Skylab was built. The shuttle program became normative. The International Space Station was expanded, and trips there and back happened. Cape Canaveral became more popular as a field trip destination for Florida students, but the drive to go further, do more, and see what else we can see seemed unreachable, if not unimportant. Setbacks such as the Challenger and Columbia disasters certainly slowed down progress.
Yet, there is something within humanity that has always been drawn to adventure. The questions remain. The challenges ahead are exciting. While some may align these feelings to a humanist desire and a simply scientific worldview (which honestly many have), I truly believe that man’s desire to seek out truth and to “go where no one has gone before” is rooted in the heart of man as created by God. In other words, the biblical worldview sees the stars, the planets, and the desire to see and understand more as part of the makeup of image-bearers of God, the Creator and Sustainer and the one who is Truth.
Spiritual Space
It is said that Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin stated that while in space he looked for God and didn’t see him, the reality is that Gagarin was a member of the Russian Orthodox Church and the supposed comment was actually made by Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev in his attempt to promote state-sponsored atheism.[7] There are numerous comments and reports from astronauts who shared the awe of their experience and in many cases, alluded to or outright declared the feelings described as spiritual if not God-focused.
John Glenn and James Irwin have expressed how their time in space gave them a sense of God’s presence. On Christmas Eve 1968 the Apollo 8 crew of Fronk Borman, Jim Lovell, and William Anders read the creation account from Genesis 1 to all on earth tuning in. Even prior to stepping onto the lunar surface, Buzz Aldrin celebrated the Lord’s Supper. Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke has shared his story of coming to Christ and reveals God’s work in his life and how his journey to the moon was amazing, but the void within remained. For Duke, even the grandeur of the journey did not fulfill him ultimately and subsequently six years after his journey he was born again.[8] The biography of Space Shuttle Columbia astronaut Rick Husband also tells how his faith in Jesus Christ defined him.[9]
There are certainly many astronauts who were not Christian or would even allude to a “higher power.” This is true for almost every non-church related profession in the world. Yet, there are some who have experienced the journey into space and all that entails and rather than celebrate the accomplishments of mankind are continually reminded of the vastness and glory of God.
While others will debate the financial aspects, the politically driven decisions, and the reasonings of continued space explorations, I continually find myself drawn to the adventure, the journey outside our big blue marble, and the mystery that awaits.
The Next Giant Step
On April 1, 2026, the Artemis II launched from Cape Canaveral on a mission that no one on earth has embarked upon for over fifty years. Four astronauts (three Americans and one Canadian) stepped into small room atop a rocket full of explosive fuel and were on their way to the moon. The crew was comprised of Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mision Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen.
From our location in northeast Florida, rocket launches are visible when the sky is clear and over the years most have occurred with little fanfare, as most have not been manned. The Artemis II is different. April 1 is an interesting date to have such a launch, but this was no prank. It would occur if all systems were go and weather was cooperating. As we gathered in our groups for our regularly scheduled midweek Bible studies, several students arrived with their phones set and rather than checking social media, they were livestreaming NASA and were glued in on the launch. Some had no idea what was going on, but eventually all were tuned in. We paused our group study for this moment and went outside to see if the launch would be visible. Suddenly, a bright white line appeared in the southeast sky and above the tree line, we could see Artemis II quickly heading out of the atmosphere.
After many decades, this would constitute another giant leap. It was a moment young people who had only read of prior space journeys, and many who may have been sucked into the black hole of conspiracy theories had questioned the veracity of such ancient stories would remember.
During the space journey, reports from the astronauts would come in. These would be the first human beings to look with their own eyes (not via a satellite image) upon the far side of the moon. The danger of the journey was continually expressed and anyone who remembers the story of Apollo 13 or simply watched the Ron Howard film about the amazing story, knew nothing could be taken for granted.
Artemis II pilot Victor Glover was asked in a live interview with CBS News on Easter Sunday (April 5) if he had a message for those watching, he stated he had nothing prepared, but then said something very right and profound.
“I think these observances are important, and as we are so far from Earth and looking back at the beauty of creation, I think for me, one of the really important personal perspectives that I have up here is I can really see Earth as one thing. When I read the Bible and look at all of the amazing things that were done for us, who were created, you have this amazing place, this spaceship. You guys are talking to us because we’re in a spaceship really far from Earth. But you’re on a spaceship called Earth that was created to give us a place to live in the universe, in the cosmos.”[10]
The very intentional and strategic use of “created” and “creation” affirm Glover’s view of a Creator.
In other interviews, he quoted scripture and affirmed the greatest commandment to love the Lord your God with all your heart and one’s neighbor as self.[11] God glorifying words from God’s glorified Word.
The awe of the moon-shot story is a definer of one’s worldview. A quick search of stories and updates related to the space journey will reveal this. However, even The New York Times in an excellent story by Ruth Graham expresses the wonder and realization of how small we are in this vast universe. As Graham states, “For many astronauts, what begins as a scientific endeavor becomes something spiritual.” [12]
I am a proud space-geek and have always been amazed and drawn to the stories of the space race, rockets, astronauts, and all things NASA. I am certain much of this is due to my age and growing up as a boy during the early missions and the eventual space shuttle journeys. Seeing the Space Shuttle Enterprise on the back of the airplane when it stopped over at the Air Force Base where we lived was mind-blowing.
Teachable Moments of Truth
Yet, there is something more than simply loving the stories and being in awe of the risky pioneering journey that began in the 1960s. This was why we stepped outside the church building on April 1 so our students could view the rocket launch. These are teachable moments. These must not be missed. The greatness of all that man can do to blast off from the coast of Florida, circle the moon, and splash down back home in the Pacific Ocean ten days later is amazing. Yet, what is even more amazing is the realization that above all is our God, the Creator of all the universe, God of the laws of science, the one who put the stars in the heavens, the planets in their orbits, and the moon around our home, all for his glory…and our good.
It is a good thing to be amazed and to be in awe. This cosmos, as God has created it, is the theater of his glory.[13]
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Psalm 8:3-4 (ESV) [14]
If anyone from NASA is reading this and there is need for a tall, grey-haired, chaplain, who could barely fit in the capsule, but would try, to join future missions, please feel free to contact me. I will adjust my schedule as needed for training and launch dates. If there is a cost to participate, please let me know if there a Florida resident discount?
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[1] “Sputnik, 1957.” U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of State, history.state.gov/milestones/1953-1960/sputnik. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
[2] Kennedy, John F. “We Choose to Go to the Moon.” Rice University, www.rice.edu/jfk-speech. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
[3] “Firsts in Space.” Firsts in Space | The Schools’ Observatory, www.schoolsobservatory.org/learn/history/firsts. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
[4] Siegel, Ethan. This Is Why the Soviet Union Lost “The Space Race” to the USA, www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/2019/07/11/this-is-why-the-soviet-union-lost-the-space-race-to-the-usa/. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
[5] Cosgrove-Mather, Bootie. “The Most Trusted Man in America.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, www.cbsnews.com/news/the-most-trusted-man-in-america/. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
[6] “July 20, 1969: One Giant Leap for Mankind.” NASA, NASA, 13 June 2024, www.nasa.gov/history/july-20-1969-one-giant-leap-for-mankind/.
[7] Szterszky, Subby. “Christians in Space: Taking the Creation Mandate to the Stars.” Christians in Space: Taking the Creation Mandate to the Stars | Focus on the Family Canada, www.focusonthefamily.ca/content/christians-in-space-taking-the-creation-mandate-to-the-stars. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
[8] Freeze, Trevor. Charlie Duke’s Life-Changing Walk, 20 July 2023, billygraham.org/articles/charlie-dukes-life-changing-walk.
[9] Husband, Evelyn with Donna VanLiere. High Calling: The Courageous Life and Faith of Space Shuttle Columbia Commander Rick Husband (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003), 94.
[10] Callahan, Chrissy. “Artemis II Astronaut’s Reflection on His Faith from Space Is Moving People on Earth.” TODAY.Com, TODAY, 8 Apr. 2026, www.today.com/life/victor-glover-easter-message-artemis-ii-astronaut-rcna267220.
[11] Pallaghy, Paul. A Modern Day Outlier: Artemis II Crew Quoted Jesus from Lunar Flyby. | by Paul Pallaghy, PhD | Apr, 2026 | Medium, 8 Apr. 2026, medium.com/@paul.k.pallaghy/a-modern-day-outlier-artemis-ii-crew-quoted-jesus-from-lunar-flyby-f8b795ae6784.
[12] Graham, Ruth. Another Giant Leap Reminds Us How Small We Are - The New York Times, 11 Apr. 2026, www.nytimes.com/2026/04/11/us/artemis-landing-splashdown-moon.html.
[13] Mohler, Jr., R. Albert. “Monday, April 13, 2026.” AlbertMohler.Com, 13 Apr. 2026, albertmohler.com/2026/04/13/briefing-4-13-26/#part4.
[14]The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ps 8:3–4.
