A Florida minister and his daughter were killed Monday when their small aircraft crashed in a suburban neighborhood near Fort Lauderdale as they attempted to deliver relief supplies to Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
Evangelist Alexander Wurm, 53, and his 22-year-old daughter, Serena, were flying aid to the Caribbean nation when their plane went down in Coral Springs, about 20 miles northwest of Fort Lauderdale. The National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation into the cause of the crash.
Wurm, a longtime pilot and the founder of Ignite the Fire, an evangelical Christian ministry focused on outreach to Caribbean youth, had spent the weeks since the storm organizing flights of essential supplies. According to his recent social media posts, the flights carried generators, battery packs, and Starlink satellite internet devices—goods he said were urgently needed to restore communication and electricity across hard-hit parts of Jamaica.
The ministry confirmed the deaths in a statement, praising the pair’s devotion to service and faith. “Together, their final journey embodied selflessness and courage, reminding us of the power of service and love,” Ignite the Fire said. “Serena, following in her father’s footsteps, was a beacon of empathy and hope, inspiring all with her commitment to humanitarian work.”
Wurm founded Ignite the Fire nearly two decades ago with the mission of “bringing the light of Christ to the islands,” according to the ministry’s website. He was ordained in the early 2000s and began flying missions in 2005 to deliver aid and Bibles to isolated communities across the Caribbean. In his last Instagram post, Wurm wrote that “faith and flight go hand in hand when you trust that God is your copilot.”
Those who knew him described him as both a man of conviction and a devoted family leader. Wurm is survived by his wife, Candace, and two children, James, 17, and Christina, 20. Serena, his eldest, had recently graduated from college and had been helping coordinate the ministry’s humanitarian work.
Residents in Coral Springs reported seeing the aircraft struggling before impact, with local emergency crews responding within minutes of the crash. Despite the destruction, no injuries were reported on the ground.
While the investigation continues, friends and supporters of the Wurm family have gathered to honor their legacy. A memorial service is being planned by Ignite the Fire, which said it would continue its relief efforts in Jamaica “in their memory and through God’s guidance.”
For many, the tragedy has underscored both the risks and the quiet heroism of missionary work. At a time when faith-based organizations continue to play a vital role in disaster relief, Wurm’s final flight stood as a testament to a life devoted to others.
“Alexander and Serena gave their lives serving those in need,” one ministry member wrote. “Their mission did not end in that plane—it continues in every person they inspired to act with faith and compassion.”
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