How would you handle the unexpected? And how might God use the unexpected to transform us into the people He has called us to be?
On Tuesday evening, October 27, we warmly invite you to join us for Plumstead Christian School's annual Founders Forum as we welcome Captain Wilmore to our Middle and Upper School campus from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Tickets are available at https://plumsteadchristian.org/tickets/. All proceeds from Founders Forum will support our Annual Fund, which helps enhance programs across both campuses and strengthen the educational experience we provide for our students.
The unexpected…
What would you do if a routine 8-day trip to the Space Station suddenly turns into an unexpected 286-day stay in space? How would you respond when the plans you carefully made are no longer the plans you are able to follow? And where would you turn when the unexpected challenges your faith, tests your patience, and stretches your understanding of God's purposes?
These are more than hypothetical questions for Captain Barry “Butch” Wilmore, retired NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy Captain. They became his reality when what was supposed to be a brief trip to the International Space Station turned into an extraordinary journey of nearly ten months. In his riveting book, Stuck in Space, Butch shares the challenges, lessons, and faith that sustained him through an experience he never anticipated, and next Tuesday, we have the privilege of hearing his story straight from him, complete with stunning visuals.
This promises to be much more than an evening of fascinating stories about space exploration. It will be an opportunity to hear how a man whose faith in Jesus Christ shapes his life navigated circumstances far beyond his control. Butch's story reminds us that while we cannot always choose what happens to us, we can choose where we place our trust. And when the unexpected comes, we can discover anew the faithfulness of the God who holds our lives—and the entire universe—in His hands.
That message connects beautifully with our spiritual theme for this school year: “Transformed” (2 Corinthians 5:17). God often uses circumstances we would never have chosen to deepen our faith, reshape our perspective, and draw us closer to Him. Through Butch's experiences, I believe we will be encouraged to trust Jesus more fully, live more intentionally for Him, and stand in even greater awe of our Creator God, whose wisdom and power extend far beyond anything we can imagine.
We hope you will make plans to join us. Bring your spouse, invite a friend, and come ready to be challenged and encouraged. Whether you are fascinated by space, interested in the intersection of faith and science, or simply looking for fresh encouragement in your walk with Christ, this will be an evening worth sharing.
There is another very special reason for our school community to attend.
During the evening, we will honor Mrs. Jo Smeland as our 2026 Honorary Founder, recognizing her meaningful contributions to the life and legacy of Plumstead Christian School. Your presence in the audience will be a wonderful expression of appreciation and support for Jo. Following the program, we will gather for a brief reception in her honor in the school's library. I know it would mean a great deal to Jo to see the PCS community come together to celebrate her.