American pastor kidnapped during South African church service
American pastor Josh Sullivan was kidnapped during a service in South Africa by armed men. An elite police unit has been engaged in the search.
What do you need to know?
- Where and when did the kidnapping occur? Pastor Josh Sullivan was kidnapped on Thursday evening during a service at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
- Who is involved in the search? The search operation involves South Africa's elite police unit known as the Hawks, which specializes in serious organized crimes.
- What are the circumstances of the kidnapping? Four armed and masked men stormed the church, kidnapped the pastor, and stole his car, which was later found.
What are the details of the pastor's kidnapping?
American pastor Josh Sullivan was kidnapped by armed men while conducting a service in South Africa. The incident took place at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell. According to local police spokesperson Andre Beetge, four masked men entered the temple, kidnapped the pastor, and stole two phones.
The search for the pastor continues
The South African police, including the elite Hawks unit, are actively searching for Pastor Sullivan. Hawks spokesperson Lt. Col. Avele Fumba emphasized that efforts are being made on multiple levels to find the pastor and apprehend the perpetrators. The pastor's car was found, but there is no sign of Sullivan himself.
No ransom demand from the kidnappers
The U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed that they are aware of the kidnapping of a U.S. citizen in South Africa. According to family representative Jeremy Hall, Sullivan's wife and children were also in the church at the time of the incident. The kidnappers knew the pastor's name, but no ransom was demanded. Sullivan, who moved to South Africa in 2018, is known as a church-planting missionary.
