Christian Couple, 3 Children, Perish in Fiery Crash on Way to Missionary Training
A beloved Christian couple from Minneapolis, Minnesota, who were preparing to move to Japan for long-term missionary work, perished with their three children in a fiery crash in Nebraska on their way to finish missionary training in Colorado.
Nebraska State Patrol confirmed in a Fox 9 report in August that Jamison and Kathryne Pals, both 29, and their three children, Ezra, 3, Violet, 23 months, and Calvin just 2 months old, all died in the multiple vehicle crash involving a semitrailer on westbound I-80 near Brule in Nebraska.
The Omaha World-Herald reported at about 11:30 a.m. on July 31 that the semitrailer truck driven by Tony Weekly Jr., 53, hit the back of the Pals' westbound 2007 Dodge minivan and the collision pushed the semi and van into three other westbound vehicles. Another victim, identified as Terry Sullivan, 56, also died as a result of injuries suffered in the crash.
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"We knew they were leaving to go to training," Kathryne's father, Gordy Engel, told People magazine. "But we didn't anticipate it would be this forever separation."
Kathryne's mother, Nancy, added: "The last time we saw Jamison and Kathryne, we got together and held hands and prayed with them. ... That was the last time we saw them."
The couple were members of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minnesota which was pastored by renowned theologian John Piper from 1980 to 2013 when the baton was passed to Pastor Jason Meyer.
According to the Omaha World-Herald, hundreds of people turned out for an emotional two-hour memorial service at the downtown Minneapolis church in support of the family on Aug. 9 and Kathryne's parents forgave the man who caused the death of their daughter and family.
"We are praying for you, Tony," Nancy said. "And we do forgive you."
State Patrol told the Herald that Weekly was distracted at the time of the accident and has been charged with felony motor vehicle homicide.
"We pray he will accept our forgiveness," Gordy Engel told mourners as he revealed Weekly was given access to the live-stream of the funeral.
Jamison and Kathryne had been planning to move to Japan to do mission work for World Venture, an agency that trains and places missionaries, according to the Herald. At the memorial service, friends and family remembered how devout the couple were as well as their commitment to parenting their three young children.
"Their life was centered on their faith and their children, they really parented together," Gordy Engel told People. "Jamison was a great father and both were so patient and kind."
Chris Pals, Jamison's brother, said at the memorial service that he imagines that on the day his brother and his family died, Jesus was grilling out with buddies in Heaven. They were lounging around, making cheeseburgers and veggie burgers.
"And Jesus says, 'Hey guys, guess what? It's time,' " Pals said. " 'I've been waiting for this moment. It's time to meet Jamison, Kathryne, Ezra, Violet and Calvin. Just wait until you hear these kids sing.' "
In a heartfelt prayer at the service, Piper reminded the mourners of God's compassion.
"You are good to those who wait for you, to the soul who seeks you. You are good today. You were good last Sunday (July 31). We are waiting, we are looking for the salvation of the Lord. We are not running from the yoke of this dark providence, or throwing off the burden of your good sovereignty. But we are waiting, and looking, for the yoke to be made easy and the burden light," noted Piper in his prayer.
"You do not hide yourself forever. Though you cause grief, you will have compassion, according to the abundance of your steadfast love; for you do not afflict from your heart, or grieve the children of men. We know your heart, O God. For there is nothing in the world more bright, more blazing, more terrible, more beautiful, more bloody, more hopeful, than the revelation of your heart in the death and triumph of your Son, Jesus," he added
