An American pastor, Josh Sullivan, was safely rescued in South Africa on April 15, 2025, following a dramatic confrontation between police and his kidnappers.
The operation, led by the South African Police Service’s elite Hawks unit, ended with the deaths of three suspects in a high-stakes shootout in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape province.
Sullivan, a 45-year-old missionary from Maryville, Tennessee, was abducted at gunpoint on April 10 while leading a prayer service at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, a township in Gqeberha.
According to NBC News, four masked men stormed the church, pistol-whipped Sullivan, and fled with him in his own truck, which was later found abandoned. The kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom, contacting Sullivan’s wife, Meagan, the day after the abduction.
Acting on intelligence, the Hawks located Sullivan at a safe house in KwaMagxaki, another Gqeberha township.
As officers approached, the suspects, positioned in a vehicle outside the house, opened fire and attempted to flee, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire. All three suspects were killed, and Sullivan, found inside the vehicle, emerged unharmed.
Medical personnel assessed him on-site, confirming he was in excellent condition.
“It’s a miracle he’s alive,” said a family spokesperson, expressing relief at Sullivan’s safe return.
The pastor, a father of six, has been a missionary in South Africa since 2018, working to share the gospel with the Xhosa community. His family, who witnessed the kidnapping, has requested privacy as they recover from the ordeal.
South Africa has seen a sharp rise in kidnappings, with police data showing a 264% increase over the past decade.
The Institute of Security Studies notes that abductions are increasingly tied to armed robberies and carjackings, often targeting prominent individuals for ransom.
Authorities praised the operation’s success, highlighting the role of inter-agency collaboration and timely intelligence.
Investigations continue to identify the deceased suspects and locate any remaining accomplices, with police estimating at least three others involved in the kidnapping.
The U.S. State Department, which had been monitoring the case, expressed gratitude to South African authorities for their efforts.
Sullivan’s rescue has drawn attention to the risks faced by missionaries and expatriates in regions grappling with rising crime.
Fellowship Baptist Church, where Sullivan serves, issued a statement thanking supporters for their prayers and urging continued vigilance.
