A horrifying incident has unfolded in South Africa, where American missionary Pastor Josh Sullivan was kidnapped at gunpoint during a church service in the coastal city of Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth. The abduction took place Thursday evening at the Fellowship Baptist Church in the township of Motherwell, while Sullivan was in the middle of delivering a sermon.
According to South African police, four armed and masked men stormed into the church and interrupted the service. “It is alleged that while a sermon was conducted at the church, four armed and masked male suspects entered the church,” local authorities stated. After robbing congregants of two cell phones, the gunmen abducted Sullivan and fled the scene.
Sullivan, 45, is a missionary from Tennessee who had been serving in South Africa through the Fellowship Baptist Church. A post from the church on Facebook confirmed the terrifying ordeal: “Please pray for Josh Sullivan, missionary to South Africa. He was kidnapped at gunpoint by six men during their church service this evening.”
While initial reports suggested six attackers, both South African authorities and major outlets like CBS News and the BBC have confirmed that four masked assailants were involved in the abduction. The discrepancy in the number of suspects has yet to be clarified.
Reverend Jeremy Hall, a fellow pastor in the region, told AFP that the motive was likely ransom. “The abduction was probably financially related,” Hall said, pointing to a troubling trend in South Africa where criminal gangs target foreign nationals — especially Americans — for large ransom payments. Kidnappings for ransom have become increasingly common in South Africa over the past few years, often involving well-coordinated criminal networks.
The U.S. State Department confirmed it is aware of the situation but has released no further details. A spokesperson told CBS News, “We are aware of reports of a U.S. citizen being kidnapped in South Africa. The Department of State has no further comment at this time due to privacy considerations.”
No group has publicly claimed responsibility for the abduction, and Sullivan’s whereabouts remain unknown.
The kidnapping has sparked widespread concern within the international Christian missionary community and reignited calls for enhanced security measures for foreign nationals serving in high-risk areas.
Prayers and support have poured in across social media, with many pleading for Sullivan’s safe return. Authorities in both South Africa and the United States are reportedly working around the clock to secure his release.
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