Out of This World
By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president
Have you heard of Butch Wilmore?
While you may not know him by his name, you most likely have heard of him. He was one of the astronauts who went on a test flight to the International Space Station and was only supposed to stay in space for a short time. Things didn’t go as planned, and he and his colleague were stranded in space for nearly an entire year. They recently returned from space. They went through all the medical checkup procedures that are required and had to totally readjust to life on this earth.
Recently they held a press conference to talk about their time in space and answer reporters’ questions.
One reporter had heard about an interesting aspect of Wilmore’s time in space and asked him about it. That aspect was that Wilmore would watch his church from space each week. She asked him why that was important to him.
His answers were quite telling as he testified his faith. His first response was simple.
Well goodness, the Word of God, I need it.
He continued by talking about the importance of fellowship and his need for that fellowship saying,
And to tie in and to worship with my church family was vital. I mean, it's part of what makes me go.
He stated that even from space he needed that fellowship. One of his final statements was,
And it's not like being fellowship up close, but still, I need it.
This man’s testimony is awesome.
He could have totally not worried about church all those days in space. He could have stated that he had more important things to worry about and do there in that space science center. Instead, each week found him tuning in and fellowshipping from afar with his home church because he needed to have that fellowship and that teaching from the Word of God.
Hebrews 10:25 tells us not to forsake the assembling together and that we need it for encouragement especially for the times we live in.
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Friends, we are living in an interesting time. Things are happening at a rapid pace. There are many ways to fellowship. But, as Butch Wilmore said even from space, we need the fellowship. For him it was good but not as good as in person. Most churches offer online services. Please attend if that is the only way you can. However, fellowshipping in person for your own encouragement and to encourage others as you worship together is best. Pentecost was a time of blessed unity of mind and mission, and we pray for that in our fellowship.