Josh Sullivan, an American pastor, was kidnapped during a service in South Africa. Armed men stormed Fellowship Baptist Church, stealing two phones and abducting him in his vehicle. The investigation is being handled by an elite police unit, with no ransom requested. His family and U.S. authorities are working to ensure his safety amid rising kidnapping rates in the region.
An American pastor named Josh Sullivan was kidnapped during a church service in South Africa, as reported by local authorities. The incident occurred at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell on Thursday evening when four armed and masked men entered the premises, according to police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge. The assailants stole two mobile phones before fleeing in the pastor’s silver Toyota Fortuner. The vehicle was later found abandoned, but Pastor Sullivan remains unaccounted for.
The U.S. State Department has confirmed its knowledge of the kidnapping, emphasizing that the safety and security of American citizens abroad is a paramount concern. Captain Beetge indicated that the investigation has been entrusted to the Hawks, South Africa’s elite police unit specializing in severe organized and commercial crimes. They are diligently pursuing all potential leads to locate Pastor Sullivan and apprehend his abductors, as stated by Hawks spokesperson Lt Col Avele Fumba.
Jeremy Hall, a spokesperson for the Sullivan family, recounted that he was present in the church with his family during the horrific event, noting, “They knew his name.” In a heart-wrenching message, Mr. Sullivan’s mother, Tonya Morton Rinker, expressed her despair on Facebook, confirming that their congressman and the American embassy are actively working to secure his release. No ransom has reportedly been requested at this time, as per News24.
On his personal website, Pastor Sullivan, who has been described as “a church planting missionary,” detailed his move to South Africa with his family in 2018 to establish a church for Xhosa-speaking individuals. Alarmingly, police statistics reveal a 264% increase in kidnappings in South Africa over the past decade. This incident follows closely after the kidnapping of a Chinese national in Gqeberra, highlighting the growing concern over safety in the region.
The abduction of Pastor Josh Sullivan underscores the escalating issue of kidnappings in South Africa. Authorities are mobilized to investigate the case, with the safety of the victim as the highest priority. Family members and the U.S. government are actively working towards his safe return, reflecting the seriousness of the situation.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
