5 Christian Leaders Share Their Thoughts on the American Airlines Plane Crash

Christian leaders called on fellow believers to wish for the grieving families and to refrain from speculation after an American Airlines plane collided with a Black Hawk helicopter in D.C. Wednesday, killing all 67 on board the 2 craft. The crash involved a regional plane, American Airlines Flight 5342, that was approaching Reagan National Airport (DCA) for landing when it collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter on a training mission. The plane had taken off from Wichita, Kan. 

Below are comments from five Christian leaders: 

1. Greg Laurie, Author and Pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship

“Our hearts are broken for the families who are actually facing this devastating loss. Let’s lift up these grieving families in prayer and likewise remember the primary responders, who proceed their incredibly difficult task of recovery. In times like this, we regularly ask, ‘Why did God allow this to occur?’ To that query, I do not have a solution. But I do know who we will turn to — Jesus. In moments of sorrow and uncertainty, He is our source of comfort, strength, and hope.

“May God bring peace to those that are mourning. And may this tragedy remind us the entire brevity of life. None of us are promised tomorrow, which is why we should be ready for eternity. As Scripture says, ‘Prepare to satisfy your God’ (Amos 4:12). 

“If you’ve gotten not yet placed your faith in Christ, now’s the time. Life is brief, but eternity is endlessly. Don’t wait — turn to Him today.”

A Call to Prayer within the Midst of Tragedy

In an unimaginable tragedy, 64 people aboard an American Airlines jet lost their lives following a collision with a Black Hawk helicopter carrying three others last night at Reagan international Airport in Washington DC. Our hearts are…

— Greg Laurie (@greglaurie) January 30, 2025

2. Joseph Backholm, Senior Fellow, Family Research Council

“If your first response to this tragedy was ‘Obviously DEI!’ or ‘Trump froze hiring on air traffic control!’ please seek help,” Backholm said. 

3. Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

The Christian community, Mohler said, has a responsibility in the way it handles discussions in regards to the crash. 

“It’s very telling that the national media conversation so quickly turned to: Who is at fault here, what policy goes to be modified here? An element of that’s because with the cameras on them, and with the need of constant conversation a couple of tragedy like this, with news just trickling in and the story unfolding — slightly ridiculous things are said,” Mohler said on his podcast, The Briefing. “And things can get quite quickly out of proportion. As Christians, we must do our greatest to place them back into proportion. And that implies that we ponder the meaning of just about 70 human lives. …We also understand that each single human life on that plane was a human being made within the image of God, and thus, they should not merely an aviation collision statistic. … In the meantime, it does indicate and underline, once more, in tragic but indelible terms, what’s at stake within the difference between life and death and just how quickly, within the space of an quick, the difference between life and death will be nearly every little thing. The passengers on that airline were preparing to get off the airplane and get on with their business. The crew was concentrating on landing the plane safely. The military crew had their own task. The fact is, all of that modified straight away, and that may be a humbling realization for us all.”

4. Ed Stetzer, Dean, Talbot School of Theology

“Lord, be near to the grieving.”

Lord, be near to the grieving. https://t.co/PKnXJ5kiUh pic.twitter.com/rLnt3rC1sR

— Ed Stetzer (@edstetzer) January 30, 2025

5. Ben Staley, Pastor of Congregational Care, Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, Wichita, Kan.

“All of us are going to know individuals who know people,” he told KSHB of the families of victims. “So it’s a terrific time to double down on caring for one another, upholding one another, holding hands, perhaps a bit greater than we used to. And continuing to wish and rely upon the Lord on this time.”

Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Greg Laurie

Michael Foust has covered the intersection of religion and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel. 

Listen to Michael’s Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the most effective Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so that you never miss an interview that can you’ll want to encourage your faith.