American Pastor kidnapped her on the shot point as you deliver a sermon in South Africa: “They knew him by name”

Gunmen in South Africa is abducted by the American missionary from his church while he delivered the sermon on Friday, the police and colleague.

Pastor Josh Sullivan was abducted late on Thursday in the Fellowship Church in Motherwella outside the coastal town of Gqeberh in what seemed to be a kidnapping, a colleague said.

Abductions, including criminal gangs that target people who can require large ransom, in South Africa in recent years are growing in South Africa.

“It is said that although preached in the church, four armed and masked male suspects entered the church,” police said in the statement. “They robbed two cell phones, then took the 45-year paster with him and fled the scene.”

Spokesperson from the American State Department told the BBC If they were aware of the abduction of American citizen in South Africa.

Rev. Jeremy Hall, Pastor based in the southeast city, said for AFP, the abduction was probably “financially connected.”

Captain Andre Bettge spokesman said that the Protocol was that the once ransame would be searched, the case would be submitted to Hawks – a specialized police unit that explores organized crime, economic crime, corruption and other severe crimes.

“As I understand, there was no ransom,” said Betge, inviting anyone to show up.

Sullivan held a prayer meeting with about 30 people, including his wife and six children, when they entered armed abduction, said Hall.

“They knew him by name,” he said. They took him to the point and forced him to his car and drove away. The abandoned car recovered around a mile from the church.

Sullivan arrived in South Africa with the Tennessee family in November 2018. year, according to His personal website.

“Soon we ask to finish the language school and plant the church to the people who speak Xhosa,” he writes on his page.

Sullivan was on staff in the Fellinghip Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee, from February 2012, according to the site.

“Please pray for Josh Sullivan, Missionary South Africa”, on his facebook page wrote the church.

Please pray for Josh Sullivan, Missionary South Africa. He was kidnapped in a pistol point of six men during his church service this evening. Note: All comments except the prayer will be deleted.

Published FELLINGHIP BAPTIST CHURCH at Thursday, 10. April 2025. Years

How to wait for SULLIVAN’s safe return, supporters went to Pastor’s personal blog and other platforms for social media platforms to offer their wishes.

“Now we pray that you have provided from these evil people,” said Poster named Richard Stockton on the road of the church. “Praying the Holy Spirit is well working on their hearts and saves. And let you go !!!”

Another fan called Kody Moore said that Josh was “a faithful brother who makes a lot for Christ to be known in Africa.”

“Please pray for Josh to be brought home safely, and especially his family during this absolutely terrible time. May Christ be enlarged”, he tweeted on X.

The police police unit said that the Chinese citizen also kidnapped the city, which was on the Indian Ocean and about 570 miles southeast of Johannesburg.

There were more than 17,000 kidnappings in South Africa in the financial year 2023-2024, increasing 11 percent compared to the previous year, according to police statistics.

South Africa has also been able to escalate gun violence. Each day 33 people kill rifles in South Africa, therefore Gun Free South AfricaNon-profit advocacy for reduced pistol violence.

The associated press contributed to this report.