Church officials in Minnesota have announced an “unimaginable” twist in the case of a former pastor who was murdered after moving his family to Angola.
Beau Shroyer, 44, the former lead pastor of Lakes Area Vineyard Church in Detroit Lakes, was “killed in an act of violence” on Oct. 25 in Angola, Pastor Troy Easton told congregants at the time.
He had moved to the Central African country with his wife Jackie and their five children in 2021 to become a missionary with the SIM USA organization.
But Easton has since revealed that the pastor’s wife, Jackie, has been arrested in connection with Beau’s death.
“This is unimaginable and yet very real,” Easton wrote in a post updated letter to church members on Friday.
Beau Shroyer’s wife, Jackie, has been arrested in connection with his death in Angola on October 25
Beau had moved his family to the Central African country in 2021 to become a missionary with the SIM USA organization
“I love you very much and I am heartbroken and shocked that I have to send you updates like this today,” he told the congregation, imploring them to sit down, take a deep breath and remember that God is our eternal is love. -providing help in times of trouble” before revealing the news.
The pastor went on to say that “our grief and sorrow have increased immeasurably” with the news of Jackie’s arrest.
“As a community, we must cry out to the Lord for His grace, mercy and comforting presence for Shroyer’s children and family,” Easton wrote.
“We must honor God and love one another in the way we communicate about this, and we must continue to stand together and ask God to do in and through all of this what only He can.”
A statement from the mission organization said his five children were being cared for
SIM USA leaders also said they were “shocked and devastated” by the news.
“SIM is grateful to Angolan law enforcement officials for their dedication in investigating this matter and encourages patience and respect for all involved as the legal process unfolds,” they said. told Valley News Live.
“SIM remains committed to supporting the continued pursuit of justice for Beau and has taken steps to ensure Jackie has appropriate legal representation,” they added, noting that the leadership team is also working with Lakes Area Vineyard Church “to take care of the Shroyers.” children and all others affected by this tragedy.
“We continue to keep them all in our prayers.”
Beau previously worked as a police officer and joined the Detroit Lakes Police Department in 2013 before becoming a real estate agent
Beau had previously worked as a police officer and joined the Detroit Lakes Police Department in 2013 before becoming a real estate agent. according to the Detroit Lakes Tribune.
He eventually changed careers again to become a pastor, and in 2021 he and his wife, Jackie, became missionaries — becoming one of the first families to move to Angola after pandemic lockdowns were eased.
Beau then shared updates about his missionary work on social media.
In a post on October 24, just one day before his untimely death, Beau wrote about meeting a young student named Mauricio, who walked long distances to school.
Another post noted his farming efforts in the region, saying he spent the day “spreading manure by hand over a 40 x 16 meter farm plot.”
A motive for his death has not yet been revealed and the charges against Jackie remain unclear
He had also explained during a presentation that the government of Angola had given the ministry a plot of land next to an orange farm that was constantly under attack by criminals. according to the Christian Post.
At the top of his wish list for the property he presented to Country Faith Church was the need to build a perimeter wall and hire more security.
Beau explained that the orange farm had installed an electrified, ten-foot-high barbed wire fence and hired about fifty security guards to protect the farm, but they were still struggling with crime in the area.
A motive for his death has not yet been revealed and the charges against Jackie remain unclear.