Wife of pastor killed on Africa mission arrested in connection with death: 'Huge shock'

The wife of a Minnesota pastor killed while on a mission trip with his family in Africa has been arrested, while a former close friend of the victim told Fox News Digital the pastor was a “wonderful person” who “genuinely cared.” “cared about the people” was less privileged.

Beau Shroyer, 44, a former pastor at Lakes Area Vineyard Church, moved to Angola with his wife and five children in 2021 to become missionaries, but was killed in Angola on October 25 in a tragic “act of violence” on the Lakes Area Vineyard The church's senior pastor, Troy Easton, made the announcement last week.

Easton has now announced that Shroyer's wife Jackie was arrested in connection with his death, but he did not provide further details about the circumstances.

Minnesota missionary, father of five, killed in 'act of violence' in Angola

Pastor Beau Shroyer with his wife and children. (Lakes Area Vineyard Church)

“Today our grief and sadness deepened immeasurably as we learned that his wife, Jackie Shroyer, was arrested in connection with his death,” Easton wrote in an undated statement from the church. “I love you very much and am heartbroken and shocked that I have to send you such an update. I am so sorry and I simply have no words to express my disbelief and sadness at this news.”

Easton wrote that the missionaries there – SIM USA and SIM Angola – are caring for the couple's five children.

“This is unimaginable and yet very real. As a community, we must cry out to the Lord for His grace, mercy and comforting presence for the Shroyer children and family,” Easton wrote.

Shroyer previously described the area the family moved to as a “remote bush village” with no electricity, sewage or water systems. In a Facebook post the day before his death, Shroyer wrote that the Nyneka people they served were “among the most marginalized ethnic groups in Angola” after he came across a young person named “Mauricio” who briefly Two years ago on the way to school it was hours before class started.

“They don’t have access to education. One of the goals of our ministry center is to provide young men like Mauricio with vocational training that will help them find jobs,” Shroyer wrote. “Mauricio is in 10th grade and probably 19 or 20 years old. He is one of the few from this area who attends school beyond primary school.”

Pastor Beau Shroyer gets his hair cut in Africa. (Beau Shroyer via Facebook)

Days earlier, Shroyer posted photos and videos of people manually spreading manure on a farm property before writing that he would repair the roof of their animal shelter. He also posted a picture of himself smiling and getting a haircut from a local barber for 32 cents.

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According to the outlet, Shroyer worked for the Detroit Lakes Police Department in 2013 before becoming a real estate agent in the area.

David Dorman, who worked with Beau Shroyer in real estate for years before Shroyer decided to go to Africa, said everyone in the family was shocked to learn of Beau's death and his wife's arrest.

“Beau was a wonderful person. “I’m not sure I’ve ever met a more selfless person,” Dorman told Fox News Digital. “The courage it took to take this step was something I have admired for years. He loved people and genuinely cared for the less privileged. It was a big shock to the core to see it turn out like that.”

Dorman said Beau's passion for helping the less fortunate was even prevalent in the real estate industry, where the two worked together on several complex and difficult transactions.

“Beau was special. Beau went the extra mile for his clients…He was a true partner and loved what he did. “His attitude was infectious and I really enjoyed working with him,” said Dorman, who added that he often drove three hours to meet Beau at the end and have a meal together afterwards.

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Pastor Beau Shroyer in an SUV with children sitting on the roof of the vehicle. (Beau Shroyer via Facebook)

“He was one of the true 'good guys' in real estate. This is far less common than you might think. I've been doing this for 13 years and he stood out for all the right reasons. A true servant in the sea.” of snakes. The lengths I went to for his clients were legendary.

Dorman said Beau personally helped people who lacked help move, often forgoing his commission to get a deal done.

“I saw him tearing down trees, tearing down sheds, clearing out leftover trash and more just to help his clients settle down. The list is almost endless. The earth suffered a great loss due to his death. People who are that good are just “There aren’t enough,” Dorman said.

Dorman said Beau adored his wife and children, and he was not surprised to learn that Beau had decided to leave the United States for Africa, knowing that his faith in God was “really strong.” Dorman said Beau gave up a highly successful real estate business to work in a third world country.

“It was the definition of brave and selfless. Beau made people want to be better versions of themselves. Not by force, but by example. I strive to be more like him,” Dorman said.

He said Beau would post regular email updates about their mission, highlighting the highs and lows, some of which Dorman shared with Fox News Digital.

“We currently live in a house in the mission complex in Lubango. It’s a big change from living in the middle of the Senhora Do Monte neighborhood,” an April email update said. He said the family at the time was “settling in and enjoying it” and also mentioned that they would return to Detroit Lakes in the summer and planned to give talks at several churches.

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Beau also wrote about the “extreme poverty” in the area and that he worked soup nights. He also taught English classes to Christian teens and young adults at their home three days a week.

“I currently have seven students and about a million more wanting to apply!” he wrote.