An American pastor kidnapped at gunpoint during a prayer meeting in South Africa has been safely rescued following a high-stakes police operation that left three suspects dead.
Josh Sullivan, a 45-year-old missionary from Tennessee, was leading a service at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, near Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape, when four armed men stormed the building on the evening of April 10. The assailants briefly held Sullivan’s wife, Meagan, and terrorized the congregation—including the couple’s six children—before abducting the pastor and fleeing in his silver Toyota Fortuner, which was later found abandoned.
The attackers also robbed worshippers of their mobile phones before escaping, triggering immediate national concern and an intensive manhunt coordinated by several elite South African law enforcement divisions.
Multi-Agency Operation Leads to Rescue
The Hawks, South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, joined forces with the Anti-Gang Unit and the Serious Organised Crime Unit to track the kidnappers. After days of investigation, intelligence led authorities to a house in KwaMagxaki, a neighborhood roughly 20 minutes from the church.
On April 15, as police moved in, suspects in a vehicle opened fire, resulting in a brief but deadly shootout. Three of the suspects were fatally shot during the confrontation. Sullivan was found alive and physically unharmed inside the same vehicle. Emergency medical responders on the scene confirmed he was in excellent condition.
Kidnapping Motive Remains Under Investigation
While the precise motive has not been officially confirmed, Rev. Jeremy Hall, a colleague of Sullivan’s, suggested the kidnapping was financially motivated. Unverified reports claim a ransom demand had been made to the family, though police have not released those details publicly.
Authorities continue to investigate whether the abduction was part of a broader criminal network targeting missionaries or foreign nationals in the region.
Sullivan’s Missionary Work
Sullivan has lived in South Africa since 2018, dedicating his life to missionary work among the Xhosa-speaking population. He and his wife have four biological children and have adopted two Xhosa children, solidifying their deep integration and commitment to the community they serve.
