**American pastor Josh Sullivan is missing after a brazen kidnapping during a church service in South Africa's Eastern Cape.**
**US Pastor Abducted During Church Service in South Africa**
**US Pastor Abducted During Church Service in South Africa**
**An alarming act of violence disrupts a peaceful gathering as local authorities launch an investigation.**
An American pastor has been reported missing after he was abducted by armed assailants during a church service in South Africa, according to local authorities. The kidnapping occurred at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, Gqeberra, on Thursday evening, when four masked men invaded the gathering.
Josh Sullivan, 45, was leading the service when the suspects entered, stealing two mobile phones before driving away in the pastor's silver Toyota Fortuner. The vehicle was later discovered abandoned, but Mr. Sullivan remains unaccounted for. The US State Department confirmed they are aware of the incident, emphasizing that the safety of US citizens abroad is of utmost importance.
Captain Andre Beetge of the local police shared that the case has been passed on to the elite investigative unit, known as the Hawks, which specializes in serious crimes and corruption. “The police are currently following all possible leads to locate the victim and apprehend the culprits,” said Lt Col Avele Fumba, a spokesperson for the Hawks.
Jeremy Hall, acting as a spokesperson for the Sullivan family, revealed that his wife and children were present during the traumatic event. "They knew his name," Hall stated, expressing concern for their safety. Sullivan's mother, Tonya Morton Rinker, shared her distress on social media, mentioning that efforts are underway to ensure her son's return, with assistance from a US congressman and the American embassy.
So far, no ransom has been demanded according to reports from News24. Sullivan, who identifies himself as a "church planting missionary" on his website, moved to South Africa in 2018 with the goal of establishing a church that caters to Xhosa-speaking locals. Shocking statistics indicate a staggering 264% rise in kidnappings in South Africa over the past decade, highlighting a growing crisis in the nation. Recently, another kidnapping incident involving a Chinese national in Gqberra further underlines the heightened risks present in the region.
