US pastor abducted after being forced into own vehicle at gunpoint during raid of religious sermon in South Africa
Sunday, April 13, 2025
On Thursday evening, American pastor Josh Sullivan, 45, was kidnapped in Motherwell, Gqeberra, South Africa by four armed attackers that raided a prayer service he was leading at the local Fellowship Baptist Church.
Jeremy Hall, a spokesperson for Sullivan's family, witnessed the kidnapping. According to him, the kidnappers knew him by name. He told the Associated Free Press that he believed the kidnapping was related to money. Police stated that two cell phones were also taken in the kidnappings.
The attackers escaped with Sullivan captive in his own Toyota Fortuner after forcing him into the vehicle at gunpoint. Authorities later found the vehicle abandoned approximately one mile from the abduction site, though Sullivan's wherabouts remained unknown.
The US State Department stated that they were aware of the situation. Police Captain Andre Beetge told the BBC that the Hawks, the elite police unit of South Africa specializing in organized crime, had been brought to the fore of the investigation.
A colleague of Sullivan's said the kidnapping was one of ransom, though no ransom had yet been posted. According to WVLT, the FBI and US Embassy were in the process of securing negotiations, and that Sullivan's family was provided with proof that he was still alive. Sullivan's father in law described it as a "really tense situation." The sermon was in attendance by approximately 30 people. Attendees included his wife and six children, with whom he had traveled to South Africa in 2018 from Tennessee.
South Africa has seen an increase in similar kidnappings in recent years, as well as an increase in gun violence. A Chinese national was kidnapped from the area only days prior.
Sources
[edit]- Brenton Blanchet. "U.S. Pastor Missing After Allegedly Being Kidnapped at Gunpoint During Church Service in South Africa: 'Pray for His Safe Return'" — People, April 12, 2025
- "U.S. pastor abducted at gunpoint while delivering sermon in South Africa: "They knew him by name"" — CBS News, April 12, 2025
- Danai Nesta Kupemba. "US pastor kidnapped during church service in South Africa" — BBC, April 11, 2025
- Camruinn Morgan-Rumsey. "‘It’s devastating’: Family of Maryville pastor kidnapped in South Africa asking for prayers" — WVLT, April 11, 2025