Pastor Josh Sullivan Rescued By Police In South Africa
An American missionary, Pastor Josh Sullivan, who was abducted at gunpoint during a sermon, has been rescued by South African police following a dramatic shoot-out that left three suspects dead.
Sullivan, 45, was preaching at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, near the coastal city of Gqeberha, last Thursday when armed men stormed the church and took him hostage. According to a statement released by South African police on Wednesday, officers acted on a tip-off and tracked the suspects to a house in the KwaMagxaki district of Gqeberha.
As officers approached the location on Tuesday, the suspects attempted to flee in a vehicle, opening fire on the police. A shoot-out ensued, resulting in the deaths of all three suspects. Sullivan was found inside the same vehicle, “miraculously unharmed,” the statement confirmed.
Pastor Sullivan had been living in South Africa with his family since November 2018, having moved from Tennessee, USA, according to details on his personal website.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over the rising number of kidnappings in South Africa. Police data indicates that more than 17,000 kidnappings were recorded during the 2023/2024 financial year—an 11 percent increase compared to the previous year.
Authorities have praised the swift police response, while many in the community are expressing relief over Sullivan’s safe return. The investigation into the circumstances of the abduction and the suspects’ identities is ongoing.
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Content Credit: Agbetan Bisola
Image Credit: www.bbc.com
