American missionary Josh Sullivan is safely reunited with his family after being abducted at gunpoint during a church service in South Africa. Sullivan, originally from Tennessee, has been serving as a church-planting missionary in the Motherwell township of Gqeberha since 2018.
On the evening of April 10, 2025, four armed and masked men storm the Fellowship Baptist Church during a prayer meeting attended by approximately 30 congregants, including Sullivan’s wife, Meagan, and their six children. The assailants steal two mobile phones from worshippers before forcibly taking Sullivan from the pulpit and fleeing in his silver Toyota Fortuner, which is later found abandoned.
Authorities launch a multi-agency investigation involving the Hawks (South Africa’s elite serious crime unit), the Anti-Gang Unit, and the Serious Organised Crime Unit. On April 15, police trace the suspects to a house in KwaMagxaki, about 20 minutes from the church. As officers approach, suspects in a vehicle attempt to flee and open fire, prompting a high-intensity shootout that results in the deaths of three unidentified suspects. Sullivan is found miraculously unharmed inside the same vehicle and is immediately assessed by medical personnel, who confirm he is in excellent condition.
The motive behind the kidnapping remains unclear. While ransom demands are rare in South Africa—accounting for less than 5% of kidnappings—this incident reflects a growing concern. Kidnappings in the country have surged by 264% over the past decade, with over 17,000 cases reported in the year leading up to March 2024. Many of these crimes are linked to armed robberies and carjackings.
Sullivan’s family and community express immense relief and gratitude. His mother, Tonya Morton Rinker, shares on social media, “My baby is free! Joshua was rescued earlier today!! He is home with Meagan and the kids… Thank you for your support and prayers.” Tom Hatley, a pastor at Fellowship Baptist Church in Tennessee and Sullivan’s mentor, also confirms his safe return, urging continued prayers for the family.
Sullivan and his wife, Meagan, first traveled to South Africa in 2015 for a six-month mission trip before returning permanently in 2018. Fluent in Xhosa, they have four biological children and have adopted two Xhosa children, dedicating their lives to serving the local community.
As investigations continue, the family requests privacy during this period of recovery.
Source Links:
https://apnews.com/article/44731200d0665a149222cdadbbb1d25d
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/16/us-pastor-kidnapped-during-sermon-in-south-africa-rescued-after-shootout
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/josh-sullivan-kidnapped-missionary-south-africa-update-vrfp5hzdc
https://people.com/us-pastor-josh-sullivan-allegedly-kidnapped-gunpoint-sermon-south-africa-rescued-11716127
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-pastor-josh-sullivan-abducted-at-gunpoint-in-south-africa-rescued-in-shootout-authorities-say
https://abcnews.go.com/International/american-missionary-rescued-after-alleged-abduction-south-africa/story?id=120854993
https://news.sky.com/story/kidnapped-us-pastor-josh-sullivan-rescued-in-south-africa-and-miraculously-unharmed-in-deadly-shootout-13349997
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMbJhLUNqNQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6Fdjew5NVM
