Beau Shroyer, a beloved pastor from Minnesota, was tragically killed in an act of violence during a missionary trip in Africa. The 44-year-old leader of Lakes Area Vineyard Church in Detroit Lakes was serving in Angola when the incident occurred.
A Life Dedicated to Service
“Our dear brother and friend Beau Shroyer was killed in an act of violence while serving Jesus in Angola,” lead pastor Troy Easton wrote in a letter to the congregation. Shroyer had traveled to Angola with his family as part of SIM USA, an organization focused on cross-cultural missions. While the details of the incident remain unclear, Easton assured the congregation that the church is in close contact with Shroyer’s wife, Jackie, and is committed to supporting her and their five children.
Easton urged the church community to pray for Jackie and their children—Bella, Avery, Oakley, Iva, and Eden—and to trust in God’s love during this devastating time. “As more information becomes available about how we can honor Beau’s life and support his family, we will share it with you,” he added.
A Journey of Faith and Sacrifice
Before becoming a pastor, Shroyer served as a police officer with the Detroit Lakes Police Department and later worked as a real estate agent. In 2021, he and Jackie embarked on a missionary journey, relocating their family to a remote Angolan village lacking basic services like mail, electricity, and running water.
“We’re really going back in time,” Jackie once explained, sharing their mission to teach local children about Christianity and the love of God. “That’s why we’re going… to teach them that they matter,” she added. Their daughter Bella expressed excitement about connecting with the community and forming new relationships.
Community Support and Unshaken Faith
Randy Fairman, president of SIM USA, shared his condolences with the church, highlighting the Shroyers’ dedication to serving in Angola. He noted that they were among the first families to move to the country after pandemic restrictions eased. Fairman plans to travel to Angola to support the family and provide updates.
“From his vantage point, I believe Beau can see how his family will be cared for,” Fairman wrote. “We must now trust Jesus in a season we never imagined.”