He was miraculously unharmed.
Josh Sullivan, a missionary from Tennessee, was safely rescued five days after being kidnapped during a church service in Motherwell, South Africa. South African police located him at a safe house in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha, where an attempted arrest turned into a violent confrontation. As officers approached the location, suspects opened fire from a vehicle, prompting a gunfight that resulted in the deaths of three unidentified individuals. Sullivan was found inside the vehicle, remarkably unharmed, and received immediate medical care.
Authorities have confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing and have requested privacy for Sullivan and his family as they begin the recovery process. The kidnapping, which occurred on April 10, sparked a widespread prayer movement led by Sullivan’s home church, Fellowship Baptist in Maryville, Tennessee. His abduction happened while he was preaching, and the armed suspects reportedly demanded a ransom for his release.
Pastor Tom Hatley of Fellowship Baptist Church in Tennessee expressed relief over Sullivan’s rescue and thanked supporters for their prayers. Church secretary Heather Shirley noted the congregation was grateful and believed divine protection was responsible for Sullivan’s safety. She emphasized that they are waiting to hear Sullivan’s own account of the experience before sharing further details.
Sullivan and his wife, Meagan, have been serving in South Africa since 2018 after initially visiting in 2015 for a short-term internship. Their mission has focused on working with the Xhosa people, and Sullivan spent two years learning the local language to better serve the community. Their dedication led to the founding of Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, where they also welcomed two Xhosa children into their family.
The church continues to praise Sullivan’s commitment to his mission and is hopeful that his experience will serve as a testimony of faith and resilience. Meanwhile, local authorities are investigating the full circumstances surrounding the abduction and have not yet released the identities of the suspects involved in the fatal shootout.