Retired Col. Jeff Williams, who spent more than 500 days in space, praised God for His creation, and Williams is grateful he got to see that creation from a vantage point that most do not get to experience

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

The Clark County Prayer Breakfast had another successful launch Thursday morning, celebrating more than 20 years of bringing the community together to meet, greet, and pray for the well being of the region — and beyond

This year’s breakfast featured a message of love, faith, and science, from a perspective out of this world. 

Retired Col. Jeff Williams, who was an astronaut for 20 years and spent more than 500 days in space, challenged believers to embrace science, math, and technology, because they are all part of God’s plan. 

The keynote speaker of Thursday’s event, held at the Vancouver Hilton, is the author of “The Work of His Hands: A View of God’s Creation from Space.” Williams now serves as an elder at World of Grace Bible Church in Battle Ground.

He opened his discussion by answering two questions:

“Yes, we did land on the moon,” he said. “No, the earth is not flat.”

He and the audience shared a laugh.

“I’m amazed at how often I get those two questions,” Williams said.

Then he quickly moved to a third question he gets a lot, and he is very passionate about the subject.

“How can you work for NASA and be a believer? Or, how can you work in the area of science and be a believer?”

That’s simple for him.

“The answer is it’s perfectly compatible,” Williams said. “In fact, it’s biblical.”

From there he showed videos and pictures that he took from his travels 250 miles above the earth. 

“I never get tired of viewing this planet that we call home,” he said.

The pictures are awe inspiring. They also, Williams say, show proof of God’s words, His work of creation.

“The mathematical provision, the order of His creative work,” Williams said. “This is where science, technology, and engineering fits because it’s not just random. It’s incredibly, precisely ordered.”

God created man in His image. 

“Mankind has an amazing ability to search things out, develop, produce things,” Williams said.

That’s all by design, too, by the Creator, he said.

“That’s why it’s completely compatible for me, as a Christian, to work in the field of science,” Williams said.

He is not alone. Williams noted several famous scientists who were believers. 

“They were driven by their understanding of God’s great work through their study of scripture,” Williams said.

“If you are a Christian, you shouldn’t be scared of science, or afraid of science, or intimidated by it.”

He showed another video, points of view from the International Space Station as it passed over the earth.

“Don’t we have an amazing God?” he asked.

Other highlights of this year’s breakfast included a progress report on Flash Love, an organization dedicated to creating a culture of compassionate leaders who will one day change the world.

Jessica Lauren, 17, was highlighted as a young person ready to take on that challenge.

“Kind simple acts of love are just so important and something to never take for granted,” Lauren said. “We get to put that phrase, “Jesus loves you” on display for the world to see just by living it.”

High school students took to the microphone for a series of prayers. They prayed for local churches, elected officials, educators, law enforcement, youth, business leaders, the underemployed, healthcare workers, and more.

Many elected officials were present, including mayors from several cities in Clark County.

Jason Hattrick, who runs the nonprofit Kindness 9-1-1, was the master of ceremonies for this year’s Clark County Prayer Breakfast.

“I think the breakfast is important because it brings people together who, I think, genuinely care for everybody. Period. It’s just a pure expression of care and kindness. I think it’s a bunch of people who really just want to love their community.”