The wife of a Minnesota pastor who was killed while on a mission trip with his family to Africa has been arrested, while a former close friend of the victim told Fox News Digital that the pastor was a “wonderful person” who “genuinely cared about these people.” less privileged. »

Beau Shroyer, 44, former pastor of Lakes Area Vineyard Church, moved his wife and five children in Angola in 2021 to become a missionary, but he was killed in a tragic “act of violence” in Angola on Oct. 25, Lakes Area Vineyard Church senior pastor Troy Easton announced last week.

Easton has now revealed that Shroyer’s wife, Jackie, was arrested in connection with his death, although he did not provide further details about the circumstances.

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Pastor Beau Shroyer with his wife and children. (Lake Region Vineyard Church)

“Today, our grief and sadness deepened significantly when we learned that his wife, Jackie Shroyer, has been arrested in connection with his death,” Easton wrote in an undated statement released by the Church. “I love you very much and I am heartbroken and in shock to have to send you this type of update. I am so sorry and I simply have no words to express my disbelief and sorrow faced with this news.”

Easton wrote that missionaries there – SIM USA and SIM Angola – care for the couple’s five children.

“It is unimaginable, and yet it is very real. As a community, we must cry out to the Lord for His grace, mercy and comforting presence for the children and the Shroyer family,” Easton wrote.

Shroyer previously described the area which the family moved to an “isolated bush village” with no electricity, sewerage or water system. In a Facebook post the day before his death, Shroyer wrote that the Nyneka they served “are among the most marginalized ethnic groups in Angola”, after coming across a young man called “Mauricio” who was on his way to the school on foot almost two hours away. hours before the start of classes.

“They don’t have access to education. One of the goals of our ministry center is to provide vocational training to young men like Mauricio (so) that they receive training that will help them find employment.” , Shroyer wrote. “Mauricio is in 10th grade and is probably 19 or 20 years old. He is one of the few in the area who attends school beyond the elementary level.”

Pastor Beau Shroyer gets his hair cut in Africa. (Beau Shroyer via Facebook)

Days earlier, Shroyer posted photos and videos of people spreading manure by hand on a farm plot before writing that he was going to repair the roof of their shed. He also posted a smiling photo of himself getting a haircut at a local barbershop for 32 cents.

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Shroyer worked for the Detroit Lakes Police Department in 2013 before becoming a real estate agent in the area, according to the outlet.

David Dorman, who worked with Beau Shroyer in real estate years before Shroyer decided to leave for Africa, said everyone close to the family was in shock to learn of Beau’s death and his wife’s arrest.

“Beau was a wonderful person. I’m not sure I’ve ever met a more selfless human being,” Dorman told Fox News Digital. “The courage it took to take that step in the first place is something I’ve admired for years. He loved people and genuinely cared about the less privileged. It was a giant shock to see it unfold like this way.”

Dorman said Beau’s passion for helping the less fortunate was prevalent even in the real estate industry, where the two men worked together on several complex and difficult transactions.

“Beau was special. Beau went the extra mile for customers…He was a true partner and loved what he did. His attitude was contagious and I truly loved working with him,” said Dorman, who added that He would often drive three hours to meet Beau for the fences and then have a meal together.

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Pastor Beau Shroyer in an SUV with children sitting on the roof of the vehicle. (Beau Shroyer via Facebook)

“He was one of the real ‘good guys’ in real estate. It’s a lot less common than you might think. I’ve been doing this for 13 years and he stood out for all the right reasons. A real servant in a sea of ​​snakes. 100% a customer advocate The lengths I saw him go to for his customers was something legendary.

Dorman said Beau personally helped people who lacked help move and often waived his commission to help a deal go through.

“I have seen him cut down trees, demolish sheds, remove trash and much more just to help his clients get settled. The list is almost endless. The land has suffered a great loss with his passing. People as good are just not in abundance,” Dorman said.

Dorman said Beau adored his wife and children, and he was not surprised to learn that Beau had decided to leave the United States for Africa, knowing that his faith in God was “really strong”. Dorman said Beau left a hugely successful real estate business to work in a third world country.

“He was the definition of courage and selflessness. Beau made people want to be a better version of themselves. Not by force, but by example. I aspire to be more like him.” , Dorman said.

He said Beau would give regular email updates on their mission, highlighting the ups and downs, some of which Dorman shared with Fox News Digital.

“We are currently living in a house in the Lubango mission complex. This is a big change from living in the middle of the Senhora Do Monte neighborhood,” an email from April read. He said the family at the time was “settled and loving it”, and also mentioned that they were returning to Detroit Lakes over the summer and planned to speak at several churches.

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Beau also wrote about the “extreme poverty” of the area and working the soup nights. He also taught English classes at their home three days a week for Christian teenagers and young adults.

“I currently have seven students and about a million more applying to join us!” he wrote.