South Africa - US Pastor From TN Kidnapped During Church Service

[Knox]

The Brief​

• Josh Sullivan, a pastor and missionary from Tennessee, was kidnapped during a church service in South Africa.

• Kidnappings are a growing problem in the country, with more than 17,000 of them reported last year.

An American pastor and missionary was kidnapped during a church service in South Africa Thursday.

Reports say armed men entered the church and stole two phones before taking Sullivan and fleeing in the pastor’s vehicle.

US pastor kidnapped in South Africa: What we know

Josh Sullivan, a pastor and missionary from Tennessee, was kidnapped during a church service in South Africa.

www.fox7austin.com

 

[Knox]

U.S. pastor abducted at gunpoint while delivering sermon in South Africa: "They knew him by name"

Pastor Josh Sullivan was holding a prayer meeting with about 30 people, including his wife and six children, when the gunmen entered the church, his colleague said.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[CalliopeMuse]

According to his blog, some members of the community where he has his church tried to 'close its doors' in the middle of 2024. (He and his family have been in SA since November 2018.)

....... The week we were to leave on our furlough, a few troublemakers in the community tried to stir up trouble, and “close our doors.” There was a community meeting. In this meeting, our church and myself were accused of many different lies. I had to answer against the accusations and it seemed nothing ever came of it. It was stressful and discouraging, but we surrendered it to the Lord.

Then while they were away, he says that there were threats to burn the church down, something that they only learned about when they returned to SA following a 6 month furlough back in Tennessee. Apparently, nothing came of that.
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I have the impression that these crimes usually involve grabbing up someone whom they believe has $$$; after a demanded ransom is paid, the target is returned in relatively decent shape. I hope that the kidnapping was not related to threats that he says that they have received. But doing such a thing during a church service might be sending a 'message', which isn't encouraging. (moo)

A minor note. The article says that they used his car for the getaway. So it sounds like they knew that he had one, and that originally they may have arrived on foot, which makes it sound local. (moo)

 

[Dre]

Wow, how terrifying to have this happen in a place of worship, and how traumatic for his children! I wonder what the allegations are surrounding the pastor and if there’s any perceived merit or connection.

Hopefully the wife is not (allegedly) involved like the Minnesota pastor kidnapped and killed by locals in Angola..

 

[Unalienable Rights]

U.S. Pastor Missing After Allegedly Being Kidnapped at Gunpoint During Church Service in South Africa: 'Pray for His Safe Return'

A pastor from the United States was allegedly kidnapped by multiple armed men during a service at his church in South Africa this week, according to multiple reports and the Fellowship Baptist Church.

people.com

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Police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge told the BBC that the men allegedly stole two phones before fleeing the scene in Sullivan's silver Toyota Fortuner — which police later found abandoned with no trace of the pastor.

*****
Rev. Jeremy Hall, a pastor in the same city, told the AFP (via CBS News) that the alleged kidnapping was likely "financially related." He claimed it took place during a prayer meeting with about 30 people, including Sullivan's wife and six kids.

"They knew him by name," Hall said of the men who allegedly abducted the religious leader.

*****
A U.S. Department of State spokesperson tells PEOPLE that the organization is aware that a U.S. citizen was kidnapped in South Africa.

The spokesperson adds that there is no "greater priority than the safety and security of US citizens abroad."

Beetge told both the BBC and the AFP that, if a ransom is demanded, a case would be handed over to the specialized Hawks police unit, which investigates organized and commercial crime. He said, per the AFP, that "there has been no ransom raised."

*****

 

[Unforgotten Sparrows]

Good news, Josh Sullivan has been rescued unharmed physically. Thank you Lord.
"Three suspects killed during rescue of US pastor in Gqeberha"

Three suspects killed during rescue of US pastor in Gqeberha

Three suspects were killed in a hail of bullets on Tuesday night as elite police unit members stormed a KwaMagxaki property in Nelson Mandela Bay and rescued kidnapped US missionary pastor Josh Sullivan.

www.theherald.co.za

 

[Knox]

Good news, Josh Sullivan has been rescued unharmed physically. Thank you Lord.
"Three suspects killed during rescue of US pastor in Gqeberha"

Three suspects killed during rescue of US pastor in Gqeberha

Three suspects were killed in a hail of bullets on Tuesday night as elite police unit members stormed a KwaMagxaki property in Nelson Mandela Bay and rescued kidnapped US missionary pastor Josh Sullivan.

www.theherald.co.za

Wonderful news, thank you for joining WS to share!!! Curious if this will be the end of his mission in SA?

 

[Unforgotten Sparrows]

Wonderful news, thank you for joining WS to share!!! Curious if this will be the end of his mission in SA?

Hi Knox, thank you for the warm welcome to WS!

Edited original post because I removed the Fox Article I referenced (thanks @iamshadow21 for your help).

The latest news article I could find doesn't confirm who was behind this or what Pastor Sullivan's future plans are.

"we kindly ask for privacy during this time. I have a miraculous story to share, and I look forward to telling it when the time is right."

Maryville pastor speaks after rescue from South Africa kidnapping

 

[iamshadow21]

Hi Knox, thank you for the warm welcome to WS!

The latest news article I could find (April 19) doesn't confirm who was behind this or what Pastor Sullivan's future plans are.

Fox News is not an allowed source on Websleuths (fox affiliates are okay, just not fox news national).

Here's a different MSM source with the statement from the victim.

Maryville pastor speaks after rescue from South Africa kidnapping

Josh Sullivan was taken captive at gunpoint while preaching a sermon in the country’s Eastern Cape province.

www.wvlt.tv

MOO

 

[Unforgotten Sparrows]

Fox News is not an allowed source on Websleuths (fox affiliates are okay, just not fox news national).

Here's a different MSM source with the statement from the victim.

Maryville pastor speaks after rescue from South Africa kidnapping

Josh Sullivan was taken captive at gunpoint while preaching a sermon in the country’s Eastern Cape province.

www.wvlt.tv

MOO

Thanks for correcting me @iamshadow21. Sorry I've started reading the rules but need to finish reading them. I will delete the Fox reference now.

 

[iamshadow21]

Thanks for correcting me @iamshadow21. Sorry I've started reading the rules but need to finish reading them.

No problem. Everyone is new to begin with. Don't fret about it.

Welcome to Websleuths!