Pastor kidnapped at gunpoint whereas delivering sermon
Gunmen in South Africa have kidnapped a U.S. missionary from his church as he was delivering a sermon, police and a colleague mentioned Friday.
Pastor Josh Sullivan was kidnapped late Thursday on the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell outdoors the coastal metropolis of Gqeberha in what gave the impression to be a kidnapping for ransom, a colleague advised AFP.
Kidnappings, together with by legal gangs that focus on folks for whom massive ransoms may be demanded, have been growing in South Africa lately.
“It’s alleged that whereas a sermon was performed on the church, 4 armed and masked male suspects entered the church,” police advised CBS Information. “They robbed two cell telephones after which took the 45-year-old male pastor with them and fled the scene.”
A spokesperson from the U.S. State Division advised CBS Information that they had been conscious of the kidnapping of an American citizen in South Africa. The company mentioned it has no additional data to share at the moment.
Rev. Jeremy Corridor, a pastor additionally primarily based within the southeastern metropolis, advised AFP the kidnapping was most likely “financially associated.”
Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge mentioned protocol dictated that after a ransom was demanded, the case could be handed over to the Hawks – a specialised police unit that investigates organized crime, financial crime, corruption, and different severe crimes.
“As I perceive, there was no ransom raised,” mentioned Beetge, urging anybody with data to come back ahead.
Sullivan was holding a prayer assembly with about 30 folks, together with his spouse and 6 youngsters, when the armed kidnappers entered, Corridor mentioned.
“They knew him by title,” he mentioned. They took him at gunpoint and compelled him into his automotive and drove off. The deserted automotive was recovered a few mile from the church.
Sullivan arrived in South Africa along with his household from Tennessee in November 2018, in accordance with his private web site.
“We want to end language college quickly and plant a church to the Xhosa talking folks,” he writes on his web site.
Sullivan has been on the workers at Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee, since February of 2012, in accordance with the web site.
“Please pray for Josh Sullivan, missionary to South Africa,” the church wrote on its Fb web page.
Sullivan’s spouse Megan launched an announcement by way of a household spokesperson on Saturday.
“I simply wish to say thanks for the outpouring of affection and prayers,” she mentioned. “We beg you to proceed storming the throne room till Josh is protected at dwelling.”
As they await Sullivan’s protected return, supporters flocked to the pastor’s private weblog web site and different social media platforms to supply their well-wishes.
“We at the moment are praying that you just delivered from these evil males,” a poster named Richard Stockton mentioned on the church web site. “Praying the Holy Spirit nicely work on their hearts and be saved. And launch you!!!”
One other supporter referred to as Kody Moore mentioned Josh was a “trustworthy brother doing a lot to make Christ recognized in Africa.”
“Please pray for Josh to be introduced dwelling safely and particularly his household throughout this positively horrible time. Could Christ be magnified,” he tweeted on X.
The police anti-gang unit mentioned a Chinese language nationwide was additionally kidnapped Tuesday within the metropolis, which is on the Indian Ocean and about 570 miles southeast of Johannesburg.
There have been greater than 17,000 kidnappings in South Africa within the 2023-2024 monetary 12 months, an 11-percent improve over the earlier 12 months, in accordance with police statistics.
South Africa has additionally been stricken by escalating gun violence. Every day, 33 persons are killed by weapons in South Africa, in accordance Gun Free South Africa, a nonprofit advocating for diminished gun violence.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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