Launching Truth Conference Equips Christians in Today’s World

What does a NASA astronaut’s unexpected nine-month mission in space have to do with the biblical account of creation? At Cedarville University, astronaut Barry Wilmore and Christian apologist Ken Ham will explore that connection during Launching Truth on Monday, Nov. 9, a conference focused on biblical authority, Christian apologetics and the relationship between faith and science.

This free event begins at 6 p.m. in the Jeremiah Chapel inside of Cedarville’s Dixon Ministry Center. Doors open one hour earlier. Ham and Wilmore will explore Genesis 1-11 and its significance for understanding the Christian faith, interpreting scientific observations and engaging with contemporary culture.

Ham, founder of Answers in Genesis, and Wilmore, a retired U.S. Navy captain and NASA astronaut, will address how Christians can understand, explain and defend their biblical convictions in an increasingly complex cultural environment.

Ham will present “Genesis 1-11: The Launching Pad to the Bible,” examining the foundational role of the opening chapters in the Bible in shaping a Christian worldview.

“We so desperately need to equip generations today to stand on the authority of God’s Word and defend the Christian faith,” Ham said. “Through this event, we have the opportunity to help reach younger generations with the truth of God’s Word.”

Wilmore’s talk is titled: “Truth Without Compromise Is Truth That Endures.” He will draw from his experiences as an astronaut.

Wilmore gained international attention as a crew member aboard Boeing's first crewed Starliner mission in June 2024. Originally scheduled to spend approximately eight days aboard the International Space Station, Wilmore and fellow astronaut Suni Williams remained in space for more than nine months because of technical problems with the spacecraft. They returned to Earth in March 2025.

The Launching Truth event aligns with Cedarville's commitment to biblical education as it prepares students to communicate their faith in a variety of settings. Through examining biblical foundations, Ham also hopes that attendees will leave inspired to communicate their convictions with courage.

“After the event, I hope attendees will go away differently,” Ham said. “I hope they say, ‘We need to be more bold. We need to stand up more for God’s Word and the gospel.’ If Christians today then lead people, a lot of others will say, ‘We can do that too.’”

Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,542 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2027 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.