Three members of the Georgia gospel group The Nelons were killed in a plane crash on July 26 that also killed all seven people on board.
National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Keith Holloway said a preliminary report on the crash is expected to be released within about 30 days, but a final report on the cause of the crash could take up to two years to complete.
Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark, and their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler were killed in the crash, along with Amber’s husband Nathan Kistler, Melody Hodges, and pilot Larry Haney and his wife Melissa Haney.
Even in his grief, Steven Peoples, the Neruon family pastor at Loopville Road Baptist Church, shared fond memories of the Neruon family, who were regulars at the church, and found comfort in knowing their friends have finally made their way to heaven.
Gospel group may have been struck by ‘dark fear’ in plane crash that killed 7: expert
Three members of the Nelons were killed in a plane crash on July 26th. (Getty Images)
When asked what he remembers most about Nelns, Peoples didn’t hesitate to answer: “I was a big fan of Nelns.
“Their love and passion for the Lord,” Peoples told Fox News Digital exclusively. “Just love for the Lord. They love serving at the concerts. It’s not a show or anything like that, it’s service to the body of Christ.”
Peoples noted that many in the community don’t realize how much the Neruon family gives through their volunteer work.
Seven killed in plane crash, including three members of gospel music hall of fame quartet The Nelons
“They embarked on a lot of missionary work that a lot of people essentially didn’t know about. So their influence wasn’t just limited to Southern gospel music, but they also became known for having a missionary spirit,” he said.
Jason Clark, Kelly Nelon Clark and Amber Nelon Kistler died in a plane crash in Wyoming. Autumn, second from the left, was not on the plane at the time of the crash. (Terry Wyatt/Getty Images, courtesy of Dove Awards)
Upon hearing that the plane had crashed in Wyoming, Peoples “immediately” began trying to contact Autumn Nelon Streetman, Kelly and Jason’s pregnant daughter and the fourth member of The Nelons.
Autumn and her husband, Jamie Streetman, were scheduled to travel separately to Seattle, where the group would meet up for the Geyser homecoming cruise to Alaska.
WATCH: Pastor Stephen Peoples shares memories of the Nelon family
“My heart goes out to Autumn. Her loss is immeasurable. Four close family members – close family members – have passed away and the family’s first grandchild is due to be born. They are all overjoyed,” he said.
“Autumn said to me, ‘Hey, I know God sent this baby to me at just the right time,'” Peoples recalled. “This is where we have to trust God. There’s no way around it. I told my staff that faith that can’t be tested is faith that can’t be trusted.”
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The pastor assured that he and his congregation would continue to trust in the Lord “no matter what happens.”
“This is a place where we have to put our trust in the Lord. There’s no way around it. I’ve told my staff that a faith that can’t be tested is a faith that can’t be trusted.”
“The beautiful thing about this whole thing is I know they are with the Lord,” he said. “I knew their testimony that all seven people on the plane were followers of Christ. As the Bible says, we grieve, but we do not grieve as those without hope… but we have a sure hope that they are with Christ.”
Autumn Neron (third from the right), who was not on the flight, is pregnant with her first child. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
“For those of us who know the Lord, this is only a short, temporary period of separation.”
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A memorial service will be held for the family on Tuesday, August 6th at 1pm at Roopville Road Baptist Church and will also be available via livestream.
“The beauty of this is that I know they are in the presence of the Lord. I knew their testimony that all seven people on the plane were followers of Christ. As the Bible says, we grieve, but we don’t grieve like those who have no hope.”
WATCH: Pastor Stephen Peoples discusses the Nelon family’s unwavering Christian faith
A spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board said “an in-flight autopilot issue” was a preliminary concern during the initial investigation and that investigators were further evaluating the situation, Holloway said.
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of An Atlanta-based gospel music family The passengers were on their way to Alaska for the Gaither Homecoming Cruise when the plane crashed, according to cruise sponsor Gaither Music Group.
“Autumn and Jamie have rejoined Kelly’s brother, Todd Neron, and his wife Rhonda as they navigate the difficult task ahead. Please keep them, and the Kistler, Haney and Melody Hodges families, in your prayers,” Gaither Music Group said at the time.
Nelons was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016 and is a 10-time GMA Dove Award winner, including multiple wins for Song of the Year and Album of the Year.
