An American missionary abducted during a church service in South Africa has been safely rescued following a violent standoff between authorities and his captors. Josh Sullivan, 45, was taken at gunpoint while delivering a sermon at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, near the city of Gqeberha. The harrowing incident unfolded last Thursday, leaving his family and the local congregation in shock. About 30 people, including Sullivan’s wife and six children, were present when the armed men stormed in. Thankfully, no other individuals were harmed during the abduction.
Authorities launched an intensive search operation immediately following the kidnapping, which lasted for five days. A significant breakthrough came when law enforcement received intelligence suggesting Sullivan was being held at a safe house in KwaMagxaki, a suburb located roughly 20 minutes from the site of the incident. Upon arriving at the scene, officers encountered several armed individuals in a vehicle. When the suspects opened fire, law enforcement responded with force, resulting in a fierce gun battle.
According to South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, three suspects were fatally wounded during the shootout. Miraculously, Sullivan was discovered inside the vehicle after the confrontation, unharmed and in stable condition. Medical teams on site evaluated him and confirmed that he was in excellent health. Despite the chaos and violence of the situation, the rescue was executed without injury to the hostage—a rare outcome in cases of this nature.
While officials did not publicly identify the rescued individual, Pastor Tom Hatley of Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee—where Sullivan and his family were once active members—confirmed the news on social media. Expressing immense gratitude, Hatley encouraged continued prayers for the Sullivan family, acknowledging the emotional toll the ordeal likely had on them. His heartfelt message emphasized faith and community support, both crucial in helping the family recover from the traumatic experience.
Although the motive behind the kidnapping remains officially unconfirmed, some believe it may have been religiously motivated due to prior threats against the church. However, local clergy in the Gqeberha area, including Reverend Jeremy Hall, suggested that financial gain was the more likely motive. This incident highlights the alarming rise in kidnappings across South Africa, where cases have surged by over 260% in the past decade, with more than 17,000 reported kidnappings between 2023 and 2024 alone. The successful rescue of Josh Sullivan brings a rare moment of relief in a country grappling with increasing security challenges.