The Air Force was proud to point out that Colonel Terry Virts Jr, a 1989 graduate of the US Air Force Academy, was the pilot for the Endeavor STS-130 shuttle mission (originally scheduled for February 7th, weather delayed to the 8th).  The announcement allowed the Air Force to highlight an awesome opportunity for Airmen that may motivate them to follow in Virts’ footsteps.  Embry Riddle did the same thing, as Virts is an alumnus, allowing Embry Riddle to highlight the success of its graduates and motivate others to attend its courses.  Notably, Virts was also a fighter pilot and test pilot.

He is also a Christian: 

Going through events like hurricanes or the Columbia accident has really driven home the message we get in James chapter 1. I’m paraphrasing, “Don’t say, ‘I will go to this city and conduct business’… but instead you should say, ‘if it is the Lord’s will I will live.'” We really can’t count on anything in this world other than God. I have a saying: “My hope is not in ___” (fill in the blank), meaning that we really do need to place our trust in God, and not in things or people.

In an interesting development, the pilot of the next shuttle mission, STS-131 in March, is LtCol James Dutton–the top 1991 USAFA graduate and once a leading F-22 test pilot–and he, too, is a Christian, even listing membership in Officers’ Christian Fellowship among his organizations in his NASA bio.

Though being an astronaut has its challenges (Virts has been at NASA for 9 years–and this will be his first space trip), it also has its perks.  Virts got a cameo on Star Trek and was able to give a tour to Christian musician Michael W. Smith.

Just as those who read about Virts’ and Dutton’s experiences–military fighter pilots, test pilots, and astronauts–can be inspired to achieve similar goals, the same is true for Christians.  Young men and women who share their faith may see their successes in the military as fighter and test pilots, and their successes as NASA astronauts, and realize that they, too, can achieve those goals–even without compromising their faith, as some fear they may do in the military.

These men demonstrate that it is possible to be a faithful Christian and yet be a military fighter pilot, test pilot, or even NASA astronaut.  Pursue your dreams, and live your Christian faith.  Others have done so and been very successful.  You can, too, and your example will inspire others to follow you.