US Pastor Josh Sullivan Kidnapped During Church Service in South Africa

Pastor Josh Sullivan was kidnapped in South Africa during a church service by four armed men. The incident occurred at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, Eastern Cape. The police have found the pastor’s vehicle abandoned but have yet to locate him. Local authorities and the US State Department are involved in the case, while statistics indicate a rise in kidnappings over the past decade.

An American pastor, Josh Sullivan, was kidnapped during a church service in South Africa, according to local authorities. This incident occurred on Thursday evening at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, a township located in Gqeberra, Eastern Cape. Police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge reported that “four armed and masked male suspects entered” the service, stealing two phones before fleeing in Mr. Sullivan’s silver Toyota Fortuner.

Authorities later discovered the vehicle abandoned, yet there remains no trace of Mr. Sullivan. A spokesperson from the US State Department confirmed awareness of the incident, emphasizing that the safety and security of US citizens abroad is of utmost importance. The investigation has been handed over to South Africa’s elite police unit, known as the Hawks, which is tasked with serious organized crime and high-level corruption.

Hawks spokesman Lt Col Avele Fumba stated, “The police are currently following all possible leads to locate the victim and apprehend the perpetrators.” Jeremy Hall, a spokesman for the Sullivan family, indicated that he was present at the church with his wife and children during the kidnapping and noted, “They knew his name.”

Mr. Sullivan’s mother, Tonya Morton Rinker, expressed her heartbreak via Facebook, adding, “Our congressman and American embassy are working on finding him.” At this time, no ransom has been demanded, as reported by News24. Mr. Sullivan is characterized as “a church planting missionary” on his personal website, which notes that he relocated to South Africa in 2018 to establish a church for Xhosa-speaking individuals.

Statistics reveal a staggering 264% increase in kidnappings in South Africa over the last decade. Alarmingly, just days before Mr. Sullivan’s kidnapping, a Chinese national was also abducted in Gqeberra.

The kidnapping of Pastor Josh Sullivan during a church service highlights a troubling trend of increasing violent crime in South Africa, particularly kidnappings. Local authorities, with the help of the Hawks, are actively pursuing leads to locate the pastor while the US State Department is ensuring the family’s safety is prioritized. The incident has raised concerns among the local community and advocates for the safety of foreign nationals in the country.

Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk