CANYON (August 18, 2009)—Heat stroke killed a 24-year-old Texas youth minister who died while hiking alone in Palo Duro Canyon, according to a preliminary autopsy report.

Nathan Kyle Neel went hiking Friday in the canyon.

He was found dead several hours later.

He had joined the staff of New Home Baptist Church earlier this month.

Church Pastor Calvin Gray said that Neel had gone to Palo Duro before with other people and said this time he thinks Neel simply "wanted to go by himself to spend time with God."

Services will be held Thursday at Bacon Heights Baptist Church in Lubbock where Neel previously served as a youth intern.