US Missionary Pastor Josh Sullivan Abducted at Gunpoint in South Africa

South African police and US officials intensify efforts as kidnappers demand ransom for pastor taken during church service.

Pastor Josh Sullivan, a US missionary from Tennessee, was kidnapped during a church service in Motherwell, South Africa, on April 10, 2025.
Four armed, masked men stormed the church, abducting Sullivan and fleeing in his vehicle, which was later recovered by police.
South African authorities, including the elite Hawks unit, have activated a multidisciplinary task force to investigate and locate Sullivan.
The kidnappers have issued a ransom demand, though the specific amount has not been disclosed, according to police statements.
The US State Department is monitoring the case closely, reflecting international concern over the rise in financially motivated kidnappings in the region.