Surviving member of The Nelons  shares message of hope at memorial

A tragic loss of life became a celebration of life this week during a memorial service for four members of the singing group The Nelons, who recently died in a plane crash.

A celebration of life was held at Roopville Road Baptist Church in Georgia to honor married couple Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark; their daughter, Amber Nelon Kistler; and her husband, Nathan Kistler, who died in a plane crash while on their way to attend the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska. Three others perished in the wreck as well: pilots Larry and Melissa Haynie, and the music ensemble’s assistant, Melodi Hodges.

All eyes have been fixed on Autumn Nelon Streetman, the only surviving member of The Nelons. With the loss of her parents and sister, the grief and pain seem unimaginable. Streetman openly addressed both topics during a special recitation and prayer that was shared during the service.

“I do believe that God gives us something that’s worth trusting, and that is him and him alone,” Streetman said. “In a matter of three minutes, my entire life changed. My precious family, my friends, my livelihood — gone, with no warning.”

The singer, who was not on the plane that crashed, is pregnant, and she said her unborn baby boy, who will be born in December, “will never know his family on this side of heaven.” Despite Streetman’s trust in the Lord, she admitted there was an initial choice to make: to trust the Lord or blame him for what unfolded.

“Every day, I’ve asked God why this happened, and then I’m reminded that he told us, ‘In this world we would have trouble,’” she said. “So, I changed my, ‘why’ into, ‘then, what now, God? How do you get the glory in the midst of this tragedy?’ My choice is to trust him fully.”

Streetman looks forward to seeing her family again in heaven “God has entrusted me with a legacy to carry on,” she said, “and I will seek his will and guidance.”

–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice