An American pastor living in South Africa was kidnapped during a church service on Thursday night. Josh Sullivan, a 45-year-old from Tennessee, was taken by four masked gunmen while he was preaching at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell. The shocking incident occurred in front of approximately 30 congregants, including his wife and six children.
The attackers not only abducted Sullivan but also stole two cell phones from church members before escaping in his silver Toyota Fortuner. The vehicle was found abandoned about a mile from the church shortly after the abduction. Captain Andre Beetge, a police spokesman, confirmed that the case is now being investigated by the Hawks, a specialized police unit that deals with organized crime and serious offenses.
Witnesses reported that the kidnappers knew Sullivan by name. Rev. Jeremy Hall, a fellow pastor who was present during the incident, described how the men first confronted Sullivan’s wife, Meagan, before seizing him. Hall expressed concern that Sullivan might have been targeted for ransom, although no ransom demands have been made public.
The police are actively pursuing leads to locate Sullivan and apprehend the suspects. Lt. Col. Avele Fumba, a spokesman for the Hawks, assured the public that all possible avenues are being explored.
Sullivan moved to South Africa with his family in November 2018 to plant a church for Xhosa-speaking people. He has been involved with Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee, since 2012. His family and church community are now urging everyone to pray for his safe return. Meagan released a heartfelt statement thanking supporters for their prayers and asking for continued support until her husband is home.
The U.S. State Department is aware of the situation but has not provided further details. Family members describe the atmosphere as tense, with many waiting anxiously for news. Sullivan’s father-in-law, David Witt, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, urging everyone to keep the family in their thoughts during this difficult time.