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U.S. Missionary Abducted During Church Service in South Africa
In a disturbing incident in South Africa, a U.S. missionary was taken hostage while delivering a sermon at his church, as confirmed by police and a colleague on Friday. Pastor Josh Sullivan was abducted on Thursday night from the Fellowship Baptist Church located in Motherwell, a suburb outside Gqeberha.
Reports suggest that the abduction may have been motivated by a ransom demand. An increase in kidnappings linked to criminal gangs targeting individuals for ransom has been noted across South Africa in recent years.
“While a sermon was being held at the church, four armed and masked males entered and proceeded to rob two cell phones before abducting the 45-year-old pastor,” a police statement indicated to CBS News. The robbers fled the scene with Sullivan, highlighting the audacity of such criminal activities.
The U.S. State Department has acknowledged awareness of the incident involving one of its citizens, although they have refrained from providing further details at this stage.
Colleague Rev. Jeremy Hall suggested that the kidnapping appears to be “financially related,” underscoring concerns about increasing crime rates in the region. Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge explained that once a ransom is requested, the investigation would be escalated to the Hawks, a police unit specializing in organized crime and other serious offenses.
As of now, no ransom has been outlined, and authorities are calling on anyone with relevant information to come forward to assist in the case.
At the time of his kidnapping, Sullivan was engaged in a prayer meeting attended by approximately 30 individuals, including his family. Hall noted that the suspects were aware of Sullivan’s identity, taking him at gunpoint and forcing him into his vehicle, which was later discovered abandoned about a mile from the church.
Sullivan and his family relocated from Tennessee to South Africa in November 2018. According to his personal website, he has been preparing to establish a church for the Xhosa-speaking community.
He has served as a pastor at Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee, since February 2012. The church has urged its community to pray for Sullivan’s safe return, expressing deep concern for his well-being.
Sullivan’s wife, Megan, released a heartfelt statement through a family spokesperson, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support and urging for continued prayers for her husband’s safety.
Supporters have flocked to social media and Sullivan’s blog to convey well-wishes and prayers. One supporter wrote on the church’s website, expressing hope for Sullivan’s release, while others reiterated the importance of prayers for both him and his family during this difficult time.
In a related note, a Chinese national was also reportedly kidnapped in a nearby area, further illustrating the growing problem of abductions in South Africa, particularly in coastal towns. Recent police statistics indicate that there were over 17,000 kidnappings reported during the 2023-2024 fiscal year, marking an 11 percent rise from the previous year.
Moreover, South Africa continues to grapple with a surge in gun violence, with statistics showing that gun-related deaths occur at an alarming rate of approximately 33 individuals per day, according to Gun Free South Africa, an advocacy organization focused on reducing firearms-related harm.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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