U.S. Missionary Abducted Mid-Service In South Africa
Pastor Josh Sullivan, an American missionary, was taken by force during a prayer gathering at his church in Motherwell, a community near Gqeberha, South Africa. According to reports, four masked men entered the church armed, stole mobile phones, and then abducted Sullivan. Authorities believe the incident may have been premeditated, as the suspects appeared to be aware of his identity and role within the church. A specialized unit focused on kidnapping and ransom cases is now overseeing the investigation.
Sullivan, who has six children, moved to South Africa in 2018 to serve as a missionary. Before relocating, he was on staff at Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee, beginning in 2012. He and his wife, Meagan, have been deeply involved in ministry since their youth, having been guided and supported by Pastor Tom Hatley. Hatley has spoken highly of their dedication, particularly their efforts to connect with and serve the Xhosa community.
The couple’s recent blog posts detail spiritual progress within their congregation, highlighting baptisms of new members who came to faith through invitations from other churchgoers rather than the Sullivans themselves. This shift was celebrated as a sign of growing discipleship and active faith among church members, something the Sullivans had been praying to see.
Following the abduction, Sullivan’s church issued a call for prayer and discouraged speculation. The U.S. State Department acknowledged awareness of the case, though details remain limited. South African authorities, including the elite Hawks unit, are leading the response to what appears to be a ransom-related crime.
The kidnapping comes in the context of a larger trend in South Africa, where incidents of abduction have spiked significantly. More than 17,000 cases were documented in the most recent fiscal year, with experts linking the increase to a rise in extortion and organized criminal activity.