An American missionary pastor, Josh Sullivan, was abducted in dramatic fashion during a church sermon in South Africa, sparking international concern and a full-scale investigation by local authorities.
Pastor Sullivan, who has been serving as a missionary in South Africa since 2018, was preaching at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, Gqeberha, on the evening of Thursday, April 10, when four masked and armed men stormed the service. Eyewitnesses said the gunmen entered around 7:00 PM, called out the pastor by name, and forcibly took him away in his silver Toyota Fortuner SUV.
The shocking incident unfolded in front of Sullivan’s wife, Meagan, and their children, who were unharmed but visibly traumatized. The vehicle was later found abandoned a few kilometers from the church, but there has been no word from the kidnappers, and no ransom demand has been made as of the time of reporting.
Sullivan, 45, is well known in the local community for his outreach efforts, particularly in the Xhosa-speaking areas where he has helped establish churches and assist struggling families. His abduction has sent shockwaves through the local and international Christian community.
The South African Police Service has confirmed the incident and stated that the Anti-Gang Unit is currently handling the case. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Detective Warrant Officer Dudley Ferreira or call Crime Stop.
The motive behind the kidnapping remains unclear, but the boldness of the attack has reignited conversations about security for foreign missionaries and religious workers in volatile regions of South Africa.
