An Easter Message of Faith, Hope and Patriotism from U.S. Navy Chaplain Lt. Zack Parker
By Lt. Zack Parker, Chaplain, U.S. Navy // April 5, 2026
A Special Message From Washington D.C. to the Space Coast
Today is Easter Sunday. It is the day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and this transformational feat stands in striking contrast to even humanity’s most extraordinary accomplishments. Although our family was not in-person to witness the launch of Artemis II, we streamed it live, counted down for liftoff together and even enjoyed my mom’s video she sent from her backyard as her house was rattling! Reminded me how much I loved growing up in Merritt Island.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – On the Space Coast, most of us are familiar with a hope beyond the horizon. In case you somehow missed it, an estimated 400,000 people lined our beloved beaches while millions more tuned in worldwide to watch the 322 ft tall, 8.8 million pound, nearly $1 billion Artemis II rocket send four brave astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon.
To feel inspired is an understatement. Artemis II reminds us that humans were created to explore, to build, and to push forward. Although our family was not in-person to witness this historic event, we streamed it live, counted down for liftoff together and even enjoyed my mom’s video she sent from her backyard as her house was rattling! Reminded me how much I loved growing up in Merritt Island.
To be successful, Artemis II required years of planning and the combined effort of thousands of the most intelligent human beings on the planet.
And yet, for all its scale and significance, Artemis II quietly reminds us of a deeper truth, that our greatest achievements have limits.
This mission will carry our heroic astronauts thousands of miles, but they will still be within the bounds of creation.
Today is Easter Sunday. It is the day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and this transformational feat stands in striking contrast to even humanity’s most extraordinary accomplishments.
Artemis II represents the pinnacle of human engineering and Easter represents a victory revealing peace for eternity.
My point is not to dimmish the wonder of Artemis II or any human accomplishment for that matter. In fact, my intent is to enhance it.
The conviction or impulse that drives our ambition to explore and to push farther, see more, or go beyond, is part of God’s design. Growing up on the Space Coast and watching the shuttles and rockets blast into the sky, it is impossible not to think or feel that we were made for something far greater than we can imagine.
Generations to come will be sharing memories of this era of space travel. Moments like this bring a collective celebration of innovation, courage, and discovery. And rightly so. Artemis II can be summed up as the very best of what humanity can achieve when it works together for a common goal.
But Easter reminds us that the greatest story ever told will not be an ascent through the atmosphere, rather the good news of a stone rolling away.
1 Peter 1:3 states, “He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
Just so you don’t miss it, thousands will gather to celebrate this living hope today in churches from Micco to Mims. Millions more will congregate in sanctuaries and tune in worldwide to watch a sermon, sing some songs, while later gathering with family and friends. They will be celebrating a 3-day journey of Jesus claiming authority over death inviting new birth for all those who courageously believe.
Most of us are familiar with a hope beyond the horizon, my prayer is that all of us will have faith in a hope for heaven.
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