Josh Sullivan, a Tennessee pastor and missionary, was abducted at gunpoint by four armed, masked men during a prayer meeting in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province. The incident took place on Thursday evening at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell Township, where Sullivan was leading a prayer session attended by around 30 people, including his wife and six children, according to CBS News.
South African police reported that the assailants entered the church, stole two cellphones from worshippers, and forced Sullivan into his silver Toyota Fortuner before fleeing. The vehicle was later recovered in Motherwell, but Pastor Josh Sullivan remains missing.
David Witt, Sullivan’s father-in-law, urged people to pray for his safe return.
“We’re asking that everybody pray for Josh,” Witt told WVLT News. “We’re in a very tense situation right now.”
Sullivan, his wife Meagan, and their two children had moved to South Africa in November 2018 to establish the local branch of Fellowship Baptist Church.
“Josh basically surrendered to be a missionary out of high school. They started the Fellowship Baptist Church,” Witt explained.
According to WVLT, Sullivan’s family has received proof that he is alive, and negotiators are in contact with the kidnappers, who are demanding a ransom.
Support for the missionary and his family has poured in across social media and the church’s blog.
“We are now praying that you delivered from these evil men,” one user named Richard Stockton wrote.
“Praying the Holy Spirit well work on their hearts and be saved. And release you!!!”
Another commenter, Kody Moore, described Sullivan as a “faithful brother doing much to make Christ known in Africa.”
“Please pray for Josh to be brought home safely and especially his family during this absolutely terrible time. May Christ be magnified,” he posted on X.
The Sullivan family has expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming support.
“We want to thank the community for all of the love and prayers,” said Witt. “We’re talking thousands of people who have reached out to us.”
As negotiations continue, faith communities across the globe remain hopeful for Sullivan’s safe return.
