US Pastor Kidnapped by Armed Men During Church Service in South Africa

Pastor Josh Sullivan was abducted at gunpoint during a sermon in Motherwell, South Africa, in a likely ransom-related incident involving four armed assailants. This incident is part of a troubling rise in kidnappings in the country, with over 17,000 reported cases in 2023/2024.

Josh Sullivan, a US missionary, was abducted during a sermon at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, South Africa, on Thursday. This incident has been highlighted by police as likely related to ransom demands amid a growing trend of kidnappings by criminal gangs seeking financial gain in the region. Reports indicate that four armed and masked men entered the church during the sermon, stole two cell phones, and subsequently kidnapped the 45-year-old pastor.

Reverend Jeremy Hall, a fellow pastor, confirmed that the abduction occurred while Sullivan was leading a prayer meeting attended by around 30 people, including his immediate family. Hall noted that the assailants appeared to know Sullivan by name, taking him at gunpoint to his vehicle and fleeing the location. The pastor’s abandoned vehicle was later discovered approximately 1.5 kilometers from the church.

Since relocating from Tennessee to South Africa in November 2018, Sullivan’s family has been actively involved in their local community. This incident follows another kidnapping of a Chinese national earlier in the week in the same city, underscoring a distressing trend. In total, South Africa reported over 17,000 kidnappings in 2023/2024, reflecting an 11% increase from the prior year according to police data.

The abduction of Pastor Josh Sullivan in South Africa highlights the increasing risks associated with kidnappings for ransom, particularly involving foreign nationals. This surge in criminal activity, as evidenced by the statistics showing over 17,000 kidnappings in a year, poses significant concerns for both residents and missionaries in the region. Immediate action and community awareness are vital to combat this trend.

Original Source: newscentral.africa