Kidnapped American Pastor Rescued After Deadly Shootout in South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — American pastor Josh Sullivan was rescued by police on Tuesday following his abduction from Fellowship Baptist Church in the Eastern Cape Province. The dramatic rescue occurred during a high-intensity shootout that resulted in the deaths of three armed suspects.

Sullivan, 45, was leading a prayer service at his church in Gqeberha when armed, masked men broke in and abducted him on April 10. Local authorities reported that they acted on tips indicating Sullivan was being held in a safe house in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha.

Upon arrival at the residence, police encountered a vehicle that belonged to the suspects. As officers approached, the suspects attempted to flee, leading to an intense exchange of gunfire. In the chaos, law enforcement fatally shot three unidentified suspects.

Miraculously, Sullivan was found inside the same vehicle where the shootout unfolded. Authorities confirmed that he was unharmed and in excellent condition after being examined by medical personnel.

Tom Hatley, pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church, announced Sullivan’s rescue in a Facebook post early Wednesday morning. “Josh has been released. I just got the go-ahead to let it be known. SA media has started broadcasting. American media will follow. Thank you for your support and prayers. Please do not stop praying for The Sullivans,” Hatley wrote, praising the rescue efforts.

Sullivan and his family moved to South Africa in November 2018 to engage in church-planting work, having previously interned there in 2015. His focus during his time as a missionary has been on serving the Xhosa people, a group he became passionate about during his interim stay.

Mark Coffey, a fellow missionary, stated, “During this time that the Lord began to stir their hearts specifically for the Xhosa people,” commenting on Sullivan’s commitment to learning the Xhosa language and culture to better serve his congregation.

The abduction of Sullivan highlights the ongoing issue of rising crime rates and kidnappings for ransom in South Africa, where poverty and inequality create a backdrop for such violence. According to reports, kidnappings have increased by over 260 percent in the past decade.

Rev. Jeremy Hall, spokesperson for the Sullivan family, indicated that the suspects were familiar with Sullivan when they kidnapped him. Hall noted that the assailants initially held Sullivan’s wife, Meagan, hostage, asking, “Josh, is this your wife?” before taking Sullivan.

Despite no ransom being initially demanded, Hall suggested the motive could be financially driven, as a ransom request was made later. The investigation remains ongoing amid heightened concerns about public safety in the region.

In the wake of Sullivan’s rescue, families and community members have expressed their relief and gratitude. “It is a miracle,” wrote Meagan Sullivan on Facebook, urging followers to continue prayers for her husband.

This incident underscores the importance of rapid response and inter-agency collaboration in addressing serious crimes, as noted by the Hawks, South Africa’s elite Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation. They praised the bravery of all officers involved in securing Sullivan’s safe return.

The story continues to develop, and further updates are anticipated as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and subsequent rescue.