An American pastor, Josh Sullivan, was reportedly kidnapped at gunpoint during a church service in South Africa, according to multiple reports and a statement from his Tennessee-based Fellowship Baptist Church.
The abduction allegedly took place on the evening of April 10 at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, near Gqeberha.
“Please pray for Josh Sullivan, missionary to South Africa,” the church wrote on Facebook, explaining that six armed men stormed the service and abducted him.
According to local police reports, four masked, armed suspects entered the church during a sermon, stole two mobile phones, and fled in Sullivan’s silver Toyota Fortuner. The vehicle was later found abandoned, but there was no sign of Sullivan.
“We’re in a very tense situation,” said David Witt, Sullivan’s father-in-law, in an interview with WVLT. A colleague of Sullivan’s wife, Christina McMillin, expressed disbelief and concern, saying, “It’s terrifying… I hope they find him soon and he’s okay.”
Rev. Jeremy Hall, a local pastor, said the incident appeared to be financially motivated. He added that the assailants seemed to know Sullivan by name and that the kidnapping occurred during a prayer meeting attended by about 30 people, including Sullivan’s wife and six children.
The U.S. Department of State confirmed awareness of the kidnapping and emphasized that protecting American citizens abroad is a top priority.
So far, no ransom has been demanded. If one is, the case will be transferred to South Africa’s Hawks unit, which handles organized crime.
Police are actively investigating and following all leads.
Sullivan, who has served with Fellowship Baptist Church since 2012 and moved to South Africa as a missionary in 2018, is being prayed for by his church community and loved ones.
Kidnappings in South Africa have surged by 264% over the last decade, according to national crime statistics. Just days earlier, a Chinese national was also kidnapped in the same area.
