LAVACA COUNTY, Texas – A plane crash in Lavaca County, Texas, has killed four members of Harvest Church in Germantown, Tenn., and left one person hospitalized in Victoria, Texas.

Among those killed were Bill Garner, the church’s executive pastor, and three elders, according to News Action 5 in Memphis. Lead pastor Kennon Vaughn was reported in stable condition in the Texas hospital.

KTRK Television in Houston reported Jan. 17 that a small plane crashed around 11 a.m. between Houston and San Antonio.

The station reported that state troopers said the plane went down about a mile from Yoakum Municipal Airport. The cause of the crash is under investigation, according to KTRK.

Amid the tragedy, Harvest Church, a Southern Baptist congregation, released the following statement on its social media:

“It is with extremely heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Bill Garner, Steve Tucker, Tyler Patterson and Tyler Springer.

“All were beloved members of Harvest Church and their loss currently leaves us without the proper words to articulate our grief. As of our last report, Kennon Vaughan is in stable condition in a Texas hospital.

“We ask for your prayers and kindly request that the families of all involved are given the proper space to grieve at this time.

“We will provide more information as it is received.

“We covet your prayers.

“The worship center will be open from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to gather for a time of prayer and mourning with Harvest elders, staff and fellow members.“But we do not want you to be uniformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13).”

(EDITOR’S NOTE – Compiled by Lonnie Wilkey, editor of the Baptist and Reflector, newsjournal of the Tennessee Baptist Convention.)