“When I look at your heavens, the work on your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him,” Psalm 8:3-4
The magnificence and mystery of outer space points to the intricacies of God’s creation. This is something Passages alumni, Omar Pimentel knows well.
Omar went to Israel with Passages in 2017 where his faith was strengthened as he walked in the footsteps on Jesus.
Today, Pimentel works as the Policy and Strategy Lead for the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Space Portfolio. DIU is a direct report to the Office of the Secretary of Defense. His role helps to accelerate the adoption of commercial technology for national security purposes. In this effort, there are seven technology portfolios, one of them being space.
“My work enables commercial space companies to deploy cutting-edge technologies more efficiently, benefitting both the commercial market and the DoD,” Pimentel said.
Before joining the DIU, he worked at the NASA Headquarters’ Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy as well as the U.S. House of Representatives where he advised on various committees.
Through visiting Israel with Passages, Pimentel gained a deeper understanding of his Christian faith as well as Israel’s geopolitical landscape, both of which he has carried into his life and career today.
“My trip with Passages reignited my faith in a way I never anticipated,” Pimentel said. He described visiting the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter overlooking the Sea of Galilee. As multiple tour groups conducted mass, he heard prayers in Spanish, Korean, Japanese, and many other languages. He described this as one of the most impactful moments of his trip with Passages.
“Walking in the footsteps of the Bible brought scripture to life, and the experience in Galilee profoundly impacted my understanding of the universal and timeless nature of Christianity. Seeing people from all walks of life and from all over the world worship together in the Holy Land was a powerful reminder of how faith connects us across time and space. That journey continues to shape my spiritual identity today.”
As a Christian, Pimentel uses his faith to shape the way he thinks about space, science, and his career.
“Faith and science often feel like separate realms, but my experiences have shown me how deeply intertwined they can be,” Pimentel said. “As a Christian in science and policy, I think often about the role of religion in promoting Western values and advancing human exploration. It’s a reminder that science and faith, rather than being at odds, can work together to inspire and guide us toward a better future.”
Because of the context he gained on his Passages trip, Pimentel also has a unique perspective as an advocate for Israel in his career.
“In my work, I’ve strived to support policies and initiatives that protect and aid Israel, recognizing its importance not only as a nation but as a beacon of shared values in a complex geopolitical landscape,” Pimentel said.
During his first trip to Israel in 2017 he was able to make the land of Israel part of his own story. The same God that created space also created the beauty and complexity of Israel which Pimentel witnessed for the first time in 2017. His faith remains an integral part of his work today.
“For me, working in space is about more than just the job. It’s about keeping the door open for the next generation to dream bigger and reach farther. It’s about making sure humanity’s future in space reflects the best of humanity—curious, courageous, determined, and above all, faith driven,” Pimentel said.
“This is our next great challenge, and I’m honored to be a small part of it.”
