Following the alleged murder on Oct. 25 of 44-year-old American missionary Beau Shroyer, authorities in Angola have arrested Jackie Shroyer, his wife, in connection with his death. No details have been released about her alleged role, and no charges have been announced.
Beau Shroyer, a former pastor at Lakes Area Vineyard Church in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, partnered with SIM USA, a North Carolina-based missions organization dating back to 1893. Three years ago, the Shroyers and their five children moved to a remote Angolan village to share the gospel.
SIM USA said it is working “to ensure that Jackie has appropriate legal representation” and that the couple’s children are “well cared for.”
Missionary Beau Shroyer Suffered ‘Violent, Criminal Attack’
The only information released about Beau Shroyer’s death is that it was due to a “violent, criminal attack.” The missionary had indicated that crime was high near the ministry’s property in Lubango, saying he needed more security and a perimeter wall.
On social media, the Shroyers shared their faith testimonies as well as posts about their missions work. The day before he was killed, Beau wrote about providing vocational training for young people who “spend half of their day walking to school.” Another goal was to create a “thriving youth ministry center” for marginalized groups. Beau also taught English to local youth in his home.
On Oct. 15, Beau shared a photo of him receiving a 32-cent haircut from a local barber. “Jackie and I helped this young man get his barber license a couple years ago,” Beau wrote. “It was cool to be his client today.”
In a now-deleted video from June, the Shroyers spoke about their work in Angola. Jackie, also 44, said it was the couple’s “first time experiencing life overseas, first time in missions.” Their goal, she said, is to “build authentic, true relationships with people that have not yet been seen or touched and are not necessarily welcome to go into churches and to be able to…hear the gospel or that Jesus sees them and loves them.”
Before becoming a missionary, Beau Shroyer worked in law enforcement and real estate. David Dorman, a former colleague, described Shroyer as a “wonderful person” who “genuinely cared about those less privileged.”
