Kidnapped American Pastor Rescued in South Africa During Intense Shootout

Authorities in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province rescued an American pastor during a violent standoff on Tuesday at a residence in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as HAWKS, confirmed in a statement that the operation “successfully led to the rescue” of the pastor, who had been abducted days earlier.

While the statement didn’t initially disclose his identity, the individual has been confirmed as 34-year-old Josh Sullivan of Maryville, Tennessee. He was abducted last week at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell by multiple armed and masked assailants.

Police were tipped off that Sullivan was being held at a safe house in KwaMagxaki. When officers arrived at the property, several suspects in a vehicle opened fire and attempted to escape, triggering what authorities described as a “high-intensity shootout.”

Three suspects, whose identities remain undisclosed, were fatally shot during the confrontation. Miraculously, Sullivan was discovered inside the same vehicle, unharmed. Law enforcement stated he is currently “in excellent condition.”

Sullivan’s home church, Fellowship Baptist in Maryville, Tennessee, confirmed the good news early Wednesday morning. Pastor Tom Hatley shared an update on Facebook:

“Josh has been released. I just got ‘the go ahead to let it be known’. South African media has started reporting, and U.S. outlets will follow. Thank you for your prayers and support. Please continue praying for the Sullivan family. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!”

According to members of his congregation, Sullivan spent several years under Pastor Hatley’s mentorship before pursuing missions work in South Africa.

In 2015, Sullivan and his wife completed a six-month internship in South Africa as part of their Bible training, which stirred a calling to serve the Xhosa people. In 2018, they returned with their two children as full-time missionaries.

“During that internship, God gave them a burden for the Xhosa people,” said fellow missionary Mark Coffey. “When they returned in 2018, Josh committed himself to language school, becoming fluent in Xhosa so he could preach, disciple, and minister effectively.”