Following the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of three members of The Nelons and four others, Pastor Stephen Peeples shares his memories of the gospel group known for their unwavering faith and passion for sharing God's love. Despite the grief, Peeples finds solace in knowing that his friends are now reunited with their Creator.
Amid the profound sorrow following the tragic plane crash that took the lives of three beloved members of The Nelons, Pastor Stephen Peeples of Roopville Road Baptist Church has found comfort in knowing that his friends are now at peace with their maker.
"Their love and passion for the Lord," Peeples exclusively told Fox News Digital. "Just their love for the Lord. Love to minister in their concerts, and it wasn't a show or that kind of thing, but to minister to the body of Christ."
Remembering the Nelons: A Pastor's Solace in Their Christian Legacy
The Nelons, a renowned gospel group from Georgia, were en route to Alaska for a Gaither Homecoming Cruise when their plane crashed on July 26, killing all seven people on board, including Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark, and their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler.
Peeples described The Nelons as a family who lived their faith both on and off the stage. "They had a lot of mission activity ministries in which they embarked on that a lot of people didn't know about, per se," he said. "So, their reach went far beyond just, you know, southern gospel music, but also to be known that they had a mission mindset."
Remembering the Nelons: A Pastor's Solace in Their Christian Legacy
Upon hearing the news of the crash, Peeples' heart immediately sank for Autumn Nelon Streetman, Kelly and Jason's pregnant daughter, who was not on the plane at the time. "My heart goes out to Autumn," he said. "I mean, four family members — close, intimate, immediate family members — and here she's expecting the first grandchild of the family."
Peeples recalled a conversation he had with Autumn, who found solace in knowing that God's timing is perfect. "She goes, ‘You know what? I know that God, you know, sent this child at the right time,’" Peeples said. "This is where we have to put our trust in the Lord. There's no way around it. I shared with our staff that a faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted."
Remembering the Nelons: A Pastor's Solace in Their Christian Legacy
Peeples emphasized that the congregation would continue to put their faith in God despite the tragedy. "This is where we have to put our trust in the Lord. There's no way around it," he said. "The beauty of every bit of this is I know that they're in the presence of the Lord."
Kelly, Jason, and Amber were all devout Christians, and their faith was evident in their music and their lives, Peeples said. "I knew their testimonies of being a Christ follower — all seven on that plane. As the Bible says, we grieve, but not as those who do not have any hope … but we have a for-sure hope of knowing that they're with Christ," he said. "For those of us who know the Lord, this is just a brief period of temporary separation."
Remembering the Nelons: A Pastor's Solace in Their Christian Legacy
A celebration of life ceremony for the family is scheduled for Tuesday, August 6, at the Roopville Road Baptist Church. The service will also be available to view via livestream.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash, and a preliminary report is expected within 30 days. The final report on the probable cause could take up to two years to complete.
Remembering the Nelons: A Pastor's Solace in Their Christian Legacy
Prior to the tragedy, The Nelons had been inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame and had won numerous awards, including multiple GMA Dove Awards for song of the year and album of the year.
The Nelons' unwavering faith, love of music, and commitment to spreading God's message left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who knew them. Their legacy will continue to inspire countless others to live their lives with purpose and to trust in the Lord's plan, no matter the circumstances.
