Fundraising campaign launched to help 5 children of murdered missionary

By Leonardo BlairSenior reporter Tuesday November 12, 2024

A GoFundMe campaign who wants to help the family of murdered missionary Beau Shroyer, hopes to raise at least $15,000 to repatriate his body to the US and help his five children cope with “unimaginable loss and uncertainty,” while his wife, Jackie Shroyer, in Angola is indicted for allegedly masterminding a murder plot.

“This GoFundMe is a plea for help for the five Shroyer children. Our hope is to rally support for their immediate needs, including counseling, educational stability and the care that will help them heal and ensure that their beloved father is buried in a place where they can be comforted. by his presence,” campaign organizer Marina Roering wrote on Sunday.

The campaign, which launched Sunday and has raised more than $3,400 as of Tuesday morning, praised the former pastor, real estate agent and police officer for dedicating his life to sharing his faith and serving Angola’s marginalized people.

Receive our latest news for FREE

Subscribe to receive daily/weekly email with the best stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know.

“Beau, originally from Minnesota, felt a powerful calling to serve as a missionary and dedicate his life to sharing hope and faith in communities far from home. Beau leaves behind a career as a police officer and real estate agent; Together with his wife Jackie, he took a courageous leap of faith and traveled to Africa to build a future of service and compassion for others,” said Roering.

She remembered the late missionary as one whose journey was “filled with love, humility and kindness.”

“He was an inspiration to everyone he met, and to his family, a rock of strength and love. His tragic passing has left a deep void in the lives of all who knew him, and the grief felt by his loved ones and the community is immeasurable,” Roering added.

Beau Shroyer and his wife were beloved members of the Lake District Vineyard Church in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, before moving to Lubango, Angola, in 2021 to do missionary work under the auspices of SIM USA, a long-standing global missionary organization focused on doing missionary work in places where it is difficult to share the Gospel. to share. The mission has expressed shock at the charges against 44-year-old Jackie Shroyer, but said it has taken steps to ensure she receives appropriate legal representation.

“The global SIM community is deeply saddened by the death of our friend and colleague Beau Shroyer, who was killed in a violent criminal attack in Angola on Friday, October 25. We are shocked and devastated to learn that his wife, Jackie Shroyer, has been arrested in connection with his death,” the department said said in a statement.

“SIM is grateful to Angolan law enforcement officials for their dedication in investigating this case and encourages patience and respect for all involved as the legal process unfolds. SIM remains committed to supporting the continued pursuit of justice for Beau and has taken steps to ensure that Jackie has appropriate legal representation.”

Manuel Halaiwa, a spokesman for the Angolan Criminal Investigation Service, said Jackie Shroyer was the mastermind behind a murder plot involving three other men in which her husband was killed. Investigators also allege that Jackie Shroyer was involved in a romantic relationship with one of the men, Bernardino Elias, 24, who worked as a security guard for her family. The two other men have been identified as Isalino Kayoo, 23, and Gelson Ramos, 22.

“There are strong suspicions here of a possible romantic relationship with the person who ordered the case and her accomplice, the citizen who was initially a security guard through a private security company, but who after terminating his contract with this company welcomed because he seemed to be a good person who was very close to the couple and was hired on a different salary to serve the couple,” Halaiwa said.

As the legal process continues, Roering urged support for Beau Shroyer’s children and extended family as they grapple with the loss and prepare for his funeral, expected Nov. 30.

“His children, who are now facing unimaginable loss and uncertainty, are cared for by family who will work tirelessly to support them at this incredibly difficult time, to ensure they are safe, loved and surrounded by those who care deeply about them .” she said.

“His family has begun the process of repatriating his body to the United States, planning his funeral, seeking reliable sources of information during the investigation and legal proceedings surrounding his death, and providing ongoing support to his children.”