American pastor abducted at gunpoint during church service in South Africa is reported missing.
An American pastor is currently missing after reportedly being abducted at gunpoint during a church service in South Africa this week. Josh Sullivan, a missionary affiliated with Tennessee’s Fellowship Baptist Church and active in the region since 2018, was reportedly taken by six armed men while presiding over a prayer meeting at the Fellowship Baptist Church located in Gqeberha, a township in the Eastern Cape.
On Thursday, the church organization publicly requested prayers for Sullivan after announcing the incident, revealing that at the time of the kidnapping, approximately 30 congregants, including his wife and their six children, were present. Local law enforcement officials indicated that the assailants, described as masked men, entered the church, stole two mobile phones, and subsequently fleeced Sullivan’s Toyota vehicle as they forcibly removed him. The abandoned car was later found roughly a mile from the church premises.
Rev. Jeremy Hall, a representative for Sullivan’s family, noted that the attackers appeared to know the pastor by name and were deliberate in their actions. Hall speculated that the motive behind the abduction might be financially driven, although no ransom demands have yet been communicated. The U.S. State Department has confirmed its awareness of the situation but has not disclosed specific details regarding ongoing efforts.
This alarming event follows a recent spate of kidnappings in South Africa, with a notable incident occurring just days earlier when a Chinese national was abducted under similar circumstances in the same geographic area. Kidnapping incidents in South Africa have surged sharply, with reports indicating a staggering 264% increase in cases from 2015 to 2024, according to statistics from the South African Police Service.
The case is being handled by the Hawks, South Africa’s specialized police unit, which is tasked with tackling organized crime. Sullivan’s wife, Megan, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from the community and implored individuals to continue to pray for her husband’s safe return. The situation underscores a growing concern regarding public safety and security within the region, as local authorities work diligently to address the uptick in violent crimes, including kidnapping.
As developments unfold, the community remains hopeful for Sullivan’s safe return, emphasizing the importance of prayer and vigilance in times of uncertainty.
