Newsmakers

Rep. Ben Baker Discusses Legacy of Murdered Christian Missionaries

"This ... has been the most difficult thing we've ever faced." That's how Missouri state Rep. Ben Baker described the tragic murder of his daughter and son-in-law, who were killed last month while selflessly serving as missionaries in Haiti. "They were special people, exceptional in so many ways — very mature beyond their years," Baker said of Natalie and Davy Lloyd. "And it played out in their life." Despite dealing with the unimaginable pain of what unfolded, Baker said he and his family want to "tell the story of Davy and Natalie," explaining why he believes their "example is just so unique and powerful." "Their life was such a contrast to our current culture, where people are so caught up in self and worried about all the things that really don't matter," Baker said. "And Davey and Natalie were completely sold out to the calling of God ... and they were an example of selfless love toward people that, even, ultimately in this situation, did not return that love." As chaos has increasingly raged this year in Haiti and gang rule has overtaken parts of the country, Davey, 23, and Natalie, 21, had declined to leave before their deaths, seeking to stay behind to help. "They wanted to make sure that the kids [in the orphanage] had somebody there," Baker said. "The kids would have had nowhere to go if they would have left, and that's the kind of mentality they had. And it was just a beautiful thing to see." The grieving father shared that Davy, who was born in the states, served as a missionary to Haiti since his birth. According to Baker, "the people of Haiti were Davy's family" and "Haitian Creole was his first language." He always intended to become a missionary, and was living that out when they were killed. As for Natalie, Baker said his family has a deep history serving as missionaries, making her decision to minister in Haiti a natural progression. While some might struggle to understand why people would so selflessly put themselves in harm's way, Baker said he has always taught his children to listen to the voice of the Lord. "I've always taught my children that the will of God is the absolute ... most important thing that you could pursue in your life, no matter where that takes you," he said. "Natalie chose missions and even in a dangerous place, but it was something that we still supported." Though Baker doesn't have all of the answers surrounding why the situation ended the way it did, he knows he can still fully trust God.

Broadcast on:: 11 Jun 2024

Despite dealing with the unimaginable pain of what unfolded, Baker said he and his family want to "tell the story of Davy and Natalie," explaining why he believes their "example is just so unique and powerful." "Their life was such a contrast to our current culture, where people are so caught up in self and worried about all the things that really don't matter," Baker said. "And Davey and Natalie were completely sold out to the calling of God ... and they were an example of selfless love toward people that, even, ultimately in this situation, did not return that love."

As chaos has increasingly raged this year in Haiti and gang rule has overtaken parts of the country, Davey, 23, and Natalie, 21, had declined to leave before their deaths, seeking to stay behind to help. "They wanted to make sure that the kids [in the orphanage] had somebody there," Baker said. "The kids would have had nowhere to go if they would have left, and that's the kind of mentality they had. And it was just a beautiful thing to see."

The grieving father shared that Davy, who was born in the states, served as a missionary to Haiti since his birth. According to Baker, "the people of Haiti were Davy's family" and "Haitian Creole was his first language." He always intended to become a missionary, and was living that out when they were killed. As for Natalie, Baker said his family has a deep history serving as missionaries, making her decision to minister in Haiti a natural progression.

While some might struggle to understand why people would so selflessly put themselves in harm's way, Baker said he has always taught his children to listen to the voice of the Lord. "I've always taught my children that the will of God is the absolute ... most important thing that you could pursue in your life, no matter where that takes you," he said. "Natalie chose missions and even in a dangerous place, but it was something that we still supported." Though Baker doesn't have all of the answers surrounding why the situation ended the way it did, he knows he can still fully trust God.