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3w ago

American Pastor Rescued in South Africa After Deadly Police Shootout

Josh Sullivan, abducted during a church service, was recovered unharmed following a tactical operation that neutralized his captors.

Josh Sullivan, who describes himself as “a church planting missionary,” arrived in South Africa in 2018.
Josh Sullivan was rescued after “verified intelligence wherein a coordinated team moved swiftly to the identified location,” Hawks said in a statement on Wednesday morning.
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Overview

  • Josh Sullivan, a U.S. pastor and missionary, was abducted at gunpoint on April 10 during a church service in Motherwell Township, South Africa.
  • South African police, led by the elite Hawks unit, rescued Sullivan on April 15 in Gqeberha after a high-intensity shootout that left three kidnappers dead.
  • Sullivan was discovered inside the suspects' vehicle and was found miraculously unharmed, with medical personnel confirming he is in excellent condition.
  • Authorities are continuing their investigation, addressing the broader issue of a dramatic rise in kidnappings in South Africa, which have surged by 264% over the past decade.
  • Sullivan, who has been living in South Africa since 2018 as a church planting missionary, has been reunited with his family and is receiving support from his Tennessee-based Fellowship Baptist Church.