In a harrowing ordeal that gripped both South Africa and the United States, a 45-year-old American pastor who was kidnapped during a live sermon in the Eastern Cape province has been rescued unharmed after a deadly confrontation between South African police and his abductors.
Josh Sullivan, a Tennessee native and long-serving missionary with the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, was seized on Thursday evening during a church service when four armed and masked men stormed the sanctuary. Congregants were left stunned as the attackers not only stole mobile phones from church members but forcefully abducted Sullivan from the pulpit. Witnesses reported that the attackers displayed aggressive behavior before bundling him into a vehicle. His truck was later found abandoned, raising concerns that his captors had relocated him.
The kidnapping triggered an urgent, multi-agency investigation led by South Africa’s Anti-Gang Unit and the Serious Organised Crime Unit. After days of intense tracking, authorities narrowed down Sullivan’s location to a residence in KwaMagxaki, a suburb of Gqeberha located roughly 20 minutes from the scene of the abduction. Acting on intelligence, police moved in on Tuesday night.
What followed was a tense and violent confrontation. As police surrounded the targeted house, a car parked outside suddenly sprang to life. The occupants attempted to flee, opening fire on law enforcement officers. A fierce shootout ensued, resulting in the deaths of three suspects, all of whom remain unidentified at this time.
In the aftermath of the gunfire, officers discovered Sullivan inside the very vehicle from which the attack had been launched. According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba, the missionary was miraculously unharmed despite the violent confrontation. Medical personnel on the scene conducted a preliminary assessment and confirmed that Sullivan was in excellent physical condition.
The news of his safe recovery has brought immense relief to his family and church community. Sullivan, who has served in South Africa since 2018 with his wife Meagan and their two children, describes himself on his website as a “church-planting missionary.” Known for his close-knit connection with both local and American Baptist communities, his sudden disappearance sent shockwaves through both his congregation and those following his work abroad.
Tom Hatley, a longtime mentor and the pastor who oversaw Sullivan’s training in the U.S., confirmed the good news in a Facebook post. Sharing a photograph of Sullivan reunited with his family, Hatley wrote, “Josh has been released. Thank you for your support and prayers. Please do not stop praying for The Sullivans.” He also appealed for privacy on behalf of the family, urging supporters to allow them time to recover emotionally from the traumatic experience.
The rescue operation has drawn renewed attention to South Africa’s alarming rise in abductions. According to police data, kidnapping incidents have surged by a staggering 264% over the last ten years. Analysts from the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), an Africa-focused think tank, note that many of these abductions are linked to armed robberies and hijackings rather than ransom demands. In fact, only a small percentage—less than 5%—involve traditional ransom scenarios.
Though details remain scarce about the specific motives behind Sullivan’s kidnapping, authorities are continuing their investigation into the group responsible, including whether they were part of a broader criminal network operating in the region.
For now, the safe return of Josh Sullivan has offered a rare moment of triumph in a country grappling with rising violent crime. It has also underscored the risks faced by foreign nationals living and working in regions affected by organized criminal activity. As the Fellowship Baptist Church resumes its mission work, the Sullivans and their community are holding tight to faith—and to one another—after a brush with unimaginable danger.
