Beau Shroyer, a pastor at Lakes Area Vineyard Church in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, was tragically killed in an act of violence while on a mission trip to Angola, Africa, with his family. The news was shared by the lead pastor of the church, Troy Easton, in a letter to the congregation. Details surrounding the incident were still unclear, but the church was in contact with Beau’s wife, Jackie, and were providing support to her and their five children during this difficult time.
Shroyer, who was 44 years old, was in Africa with SIM USA, an organization specializing in cross-cultural missions. Before becoming a pastor, he had previously worked as a police officer and a real estate agent. In 2021, he and his wife had begun missionary work together. The couple had plans to relocate their family to a remote village in Angola to teach the local children about Christianity and God’s love. The area where they were moving had limited infrastructure and access to basic services.
The Shroyer family had previously visited Angola on a short-term mission project before deciding to move there permanently. The village they were relocating to had no mail service, electricity, sewer or water systems. Their goal was to share the message of God’s love with children who had never heard of Jesus before. Despite the challenges, they were excited about forming relationships within the community and making a positive impact through their missionary work.
Following Beau Shroyer’s death, SIM USA’s President, Randy Fairman, reached out to the Lakes Area Vineyard Church to offer support. He mentioned that the Shroyer family were among the first to move to Angola after pandemic lockdowns eased and that he would be traveling to Angola to comfort the family and provide more information to the congregation. Fairman expressed his belief that Beau was in a place where he could trust that his family would be taken care of, and now it was up to his loved ones to trust in Jesus during this difficult time.
The Shroyers’ mission work in Angola was a significant part of their lives, and they were passionate about sharing the message of God’s love with others. Despite the challenges they faced in moving to a remote village with limited resources, they remained committed to their calling. The tragic loss of Beau Shroyer was a devastating blow to his family and community, but plans were being made to celebrate his life, and support was being provided to his wife Jackie and their children in their time of need.
As the details surrounding Beau Shroyer’s death continued to unfold, the Lakes Area Vineyard Church was asking for prayers for the Shroyer family. They hoped that God’s comfort and presence would be felt by Jackie and their five children as they navigated this unimaginable loss. The church community rallied around the Shroyer family, offering their love and support in any way they could. Despite the pain of losing a beloved pastor, they remained united in faith and trust in God during this challenging season.
