Renowned preacher Dr. Myles Munroe killed in Bahamas plane crash

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama (KTRK) -- A private Lear jet with nine passengers on board crashed on approach near Grand Bahama International Airport Sunday, killing everyone on the plane, including a prominent evangelical pastor and his wife.

The Lear 36 Executive Jet had taken off from the Bahamian capital of Nassau and crashed while attempting to land around 5 p.m. local time in Freeport, according to a statement from the Ministry of Transport and Aviation.

"The Department of Civil Aviation has been advised unofficially that the aircraft was destroyed and that there were no survivors," the ministry aid in a statement to The Associated Press.

The crash occurred as people were gathering in Grand Bahama for the 2014 Global Leadership Forum. The Bahamas Tribune newspaper reported that Myles Munroe, a prominent Bahamian minister who organized the event, was killed along with his wife and several other people in his entourage. A spokeswoman from the Andrew J. Young Foundation confirmed the deaths to ABC News.

"Ambassador Young expresses his deep sadness over the tragic death of his friends Dr. Myles and Mrs. Ruth Munroe," the organization posted on its Facebook page tonight. "He offers condolences to the Munroe family and the families of the other souls who lost their lives as a result of this shocking plane crash."

Dr. Richard H. Pinder, a Senior Vice President and Pastor of Bahamas Faith Ministries Fellowship Church, also died in the crash, Bahamas Faith Ministries confirmed to ABC news.

Dr. William M. Wilson, president of Oral Roberts University where Munroe was a student, expressed his sadness at the loss of an "outstanding ORUalumni and friend."

A spokesperson at the Bahamas Air accident investigation and prevention unit told ABC they understand that it may be the plane of a prominent minister in the Bahamas, but officials have declined to identify the victims.

The Assocated Press and ABC News contributed to this report. Get the latest updates by clicking here.