American Pastor Rescued After Violent Standoff in South Africa
An American pastor who was abducted during a sermon in a South African township has been rescued following a deadly shootout between local authorities and his captors, police officials confirmed on Wednesday.
Josh Sullivan, 45, was taken hostage last Thursday while preaching at an evening church service in Motherwell, a township in Gqeberha, located in the Eastern Cape province. His abduction was first reported by the Fellowship Baptist Church.
After receiving a tip-off, the South African Police Service tracked Sullivan to a house in KwaMagxaki, another area in the city. As officers approached the premises, they were met with gunfire from suspects attempting to flee in a vehicle, prompting a fierce gun battle.
The police reported that three suspects were killed during the confrontation. “Upon arriving at the house, officers spotted a vehicle. The suspects, upon noticing police presence, tried to escape and opened fire,” authorities stated.
Sullivan, originally from Tennessee, was discovered inside the vehicle and was found unharmed, according to police. He is said to be in “excellent health” following the rescue.
Tom Hatley, whom Sullivan lists as a mentor on his personal website, confirmed the successful rescue on Facebook, sharing a photo of Sullivan with his family. “Josh has been freed,” Hatley posted, asking for privacy on behalf of the family. “Many people love the Sullivans, and they love you back, but they need a bit of space right now,” he added.
Sullivan refers to himself as a “church-planting missionary” and had moved to South Africa in 2018 with plans to learn the local language and establish a church within Xhosa-speaking communities.
The incident draws attention to South Africa’s rising kidnapping crisis. In 2023, the country recorded an average of 51 kidnappings each day, amid ongoing issues with violent crime, including frequent shootings and a high homicide rate.
Sullivan’s abduction came shortly after the killing of Islamic cleric Muhsin Hendricks, who was shot dead in February in Bethelsdorp, another township in the Eastern Cape.
