An American pastor from Tennessee was abducted at gunpoint in front of his wife and children during a church service in South Africa — and new details suggest the gunmen may have known exactly who they came for.
Josh Sullivan, 45, was preaching to a small congregation Thursday evening when four masked men burst into Fellowship Baptist Church in the dangerous Motherwell Township near Gqeberha. Witnesses say the men were armed and aggressive — but chillingly calm in their execution.
“They knew his name. They asked if Meagan was his wife, then shoved her to the ground and grabbed Josh,” said local Pastor Jeremy Hall, a close family friend. “They drove off in his car. It was like a targeted operation.”
The terrifying attack happened in front of approximately 30 people, including Sullivan’s wife Meagan and their children, all of whom were unharmed but traumatized.
Police later recovered Sullivan’s abandoned Toyota FourRunner nearby. So far, no ransom demand has been made, but investigators believe the abduction was premeditated.
South African police have opened an investigation into the armed robbery and kidnapping, and the nation’s elite Anti-Gang Unit is leading the search. If a ransom is requested, the case will escalate to the Hawks — the country’s special task force for high-level crimes.
“We’re following all leads. There’s no ransom request at this time, but we’re prepared,” said Lt. Col. Avele Fumba with the Hawks. “We are treating this as a highly sensitive case involving international attention.”
Sullivan, originally from Maryville, Tennessee, moved to South Africa in 2018 with his family to plant churches and minister to the Xhosa-speaking community. Before moving abroad, he was a staff member at Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville for over six years.
His wife, Meagan, issued a public plea through a family representative: “I just want to thank everyone for the prayers and support. We ask you to keep praying until Josh is safe at home.”
Back in Tennessee, the Sullivan family’s home church is flooded with support. “We are now praying that you are delivered from these evil men,” one congregant posted online. “May God soften their hearts and bring Josh home.”
Sullivan’s mother, Tonya Rinker, posted a message of heartbreak and faith on Facebook, confirming the U.S. Embassy is now involved. “Please pray for my son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. This is every mother’s nightmare.”
The motives behind the kidnapping remain unclear. But for now, a small church in South Africa and a community in Tennessee are holding on to hope, faith — and each other.
This story is developing.
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