American Pastor Josh Sullivan Abducted at Gunpoint During South Africa Sermon

The Tennessee missionary remains missing as South African authorities investigate the kidnapping, believed to be financially motivated, with no confirmed ransom demand yet.

Josh Sullivan, a 45-year-old U.S. pastor, was kidnapped by four armed and masked men during a sermon at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, South Africa, on April 10, 2025.
The assailants robbed two cell phones from congregants and forced Sullivan into his vehicle, which was later found abandoned near the church.
South African law enforcement, including the SAPS Anti-Gang Unit and Hawks, are actively investigating the case, but no ransom demand has been made public so far.
Sullivan, who moved to South Africa in 2018 with his family to establish a church, was abducted in front of his wife and six children during a prayer meeting attended by about 30 people.
The incident highlights a growing trend of financially motivated kidnappings in South Africa, where such crimes have risen by 11% in the past year, according to police statistics.