Pastor kidnapped during church service in South Africa

In South Africa, a U.S. missionary was kidnapped during a church service on April 10, 2025, at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, which is part of the Eastern Cape province. The incident involved four masked men who brandished firearms and entered the church while Pastor Josh Sullivan was leading a prayer meeting attended by around 30 people, which included his wife and children. After stealing two cellphones from congregation members, the armed men forcibly took the pastor and fled in his silver Toyota Fortuner. Local authorities began an investigation and recovered the abandoned vehicle shortly after the abduction. Investigators from the South African Police Service have confirmed that they are treating the incident as a kidnapping likely motivated by ransom. The police's Anti-Gang Unit has since taken over the investigation. Police reports suggest that the assailants knew the victim by name, raising concerns about a targeted attack. Past incidents indicate that kidnappings for ransom have surged in South Africa in recent years, with statistics citing a significant increase in these crimes, making the safety of non-nationals like Sullivan a major concern. Supporters of Pastor Sullivan, including family members and church followers, are actively engaging in prayer and are seeking assistance from local and U.S. authorities. Reports from the U.S. State Department indicate that they are aware of the abduction and are prioritizing Sullivan's safety. His mother, Tonya Rinker, expressed her heartbreak on social media and confirmed that U.S. congressmen along with the embassy are involved in efforts to locate him. As the situation unfolds, the local community and Christian networks have rallied, offering support and prayers for the safe return of Sullivan to his family. The abduction adds to a disturbing trend of rising kidnappings in South Africa, increasingly affecting foreign nationals and raising awareness on the danger posed by gangs and organized crime. Authorities continue to pursue leads and hope for a resolution that ensures the safety of the pastor.