A Minnesota pastor was “killed in an act of violence” in Africa whereas he and his household have been on a Christian mission journey to Africa.
Beau Shroyer, a pastor of Lakes Space Winery Church in Detroit Lakes, was murdered within the Southern African nation of Angola on Friday, lead pastor of the church, Troy Easton, wrote in a letter to his congregation.
“Our pricey brother and pal Beau Shroyer was killed in an act of violence whereas serving Jesus in Angola, Africa,” the letter learn.
Shroyer, 44, was in Africa with SIM USA, a company lengthy concerned in “cross-cultural missions,” together with his household when he was killed.
Easton shared that “particulars about what’s occurred which are nonetheless unknown,” however they’ve been in touch together with his spouse, Jackie, and are doing all they will for her and their 5 kids throughout this “stunning and terrible time.”
“As extra particulars turned obtainable concerning what’s subsequent for the household, what preparations are being made to have a good time and honor Beau’s life, and sensible methods you may love and serve them, we shall be sure to share them with you,” he wrote.
“Within the meantime, please be in prayer that the God of all consolation would make His love, His nearness and His presence so apparent to Jackie, Bella, Avery, Oakley, Iva and Eden, and that they might cling to Him.”
Shroyer, 44, had beforehand labored as a police officer for the Detroit Lakes Police Division in 2013 after which as an actual property agent earlier than he turned a pastor, in accordance with the Detroit Lakes Tribune.
In 2021, he and his spouse, Jackie, began doing missionary work.
The Shroyer household had beforehand spoken with the Detroit Lakes Tribune about his plans to relocate his household to grow to be long-term missionaries in Angola.
The pastor described the realm they have been transferring to as a “distant bush village” with “no mail service, electrical energy, no sewer or water methods.”
“We’re actually going again in time,” Jackie informed the outlet.
She defined that the household’s job can be educating the area’s youngest residents about Christianity and God’s love.
“Most of those youngsters have by no means even heard the title of Jesus,” the mom of 5 stated.
“That’s why we’re going … to show them in regards to the love that the Father has for them — that they’re essential, and that they matter.”
The couple had beforehand been to Angola on a two-week mission mission earlier than relocating to the African nation, however Jackie stated they’d by no means been to the village the place they deliberate on establishing store and preaching the gospel.
“I’m actually excited to get into the neighborhood and meet tons of individuals and kind a whole lot of new relationships,” their 13-year-old daughter, Bella, informed the outlet.
Following his demise, SIM USA President Randy Fairman wrote to Lakes Space Winery Church that the Shroyers have been among the many first households to maneuver to Angola after pandemic lockdowns eased.
Fairman stated he was heading to Angola to consolation the household and supply extra info to the congregation.
“It’s my perception that from his vantage level, he can see how his household shall be cared for, and it isn’t exhausting for him to belief our good Father,” Fairman wrote in his letter.
“From our perspective and the angle of Jackie and the youngsters, we should now belief Jesus in a season that we by no means imagined.”
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