An American pastor, Josh Sullivan, was kidnapped by armed men during a service at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, South Africa, highlighting alarming trends in regional safety. After entering the church, the assailants stole personal belongings before fleeing in Sullivan’s vehicle. Local police have since launched an investigation, while the family and US authorities work to secure his release amid a rising wave of kidnappings in the country.
US Pastor Abducted During Church Service in South Africa
US Pastor Abducted During Church Service in South Africa
An American pastor was taken hostage by armed intruders during a church service in Gqeberha, South Africa, raising serious concerns about safety in the region.
An American pastor has been kidnapped in South Africa after armed men stormed his church during a service, according to local authorities. Josh Sullivan, the pastor at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, Gqeberha, was leading a service when "four armed and masked male suspects entered," as reported by police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge. The assailants stole two phones and subsequently made off with Sullivan's silver Toyota Fortuner. While police discovered the vehicle abandoned shortly after the incident, no trace of the 45-year-old pastor has been found.
A spokesman from the US State Department acknowledged the kidnapping and emphasized that ensuring the safety of US citizens abroad remains a top priority. Captain Beetge noted that South Africa's elite police unit, known as the Hawks, which specializes in serious organized crime and corruption, has taken on the case. “The police are currently following all possible leads to locate the victim and apprehend the perpetrators,” stated Hawks spokesman Lt Col Avele Fumba.
Jeremy Hall, a representative of the Sullivan family, shared that they were present at the church during the attack and revealed that the suspects appeared to know Sullivan personally. His mother, Tonya Morton Rinker, expressed her heartbreak through a Facebook post, highlighting the efforts of their local congressman and the American embassy to facilitate his return.
No ransom demand has yet been reported, according to the news outlet News24. Sullivan has described himself as "a church planting missionary" on his website, noting that he moved to South Africa in 2018 with his family to establish a church tailored to Xhosa-speaking communities.
Over the last decade, statistics reveal an alarming 264% rise in kidnappings in South Africa, adding a new layer of fear to the daily lives of its residents and visitors. Just days prior to Sullivan's abduction, a Chinese national was also kidnapped in Gqeberha, further illustrating the pressing issue of safety in the region.
