The search is on for a US pastor named Josh Sullivan who was kidnapped at gunpoint during a church sermon in the Eastern Cape last week.
The American preacher and his family are from Tennessee and have been living and doing missionary work in Gqeberha.
According to police, a ransom has been demanded by his kidnappers.
US PASTOR JOSH SULLIVAN KIDNAPPED DURING CHURCH SERMON
On Thursday, 10 April, US pastor Josh Sullivan and his congregation were ambushed by four armed men during an evening service at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Gqeberha.
The Tennessee pastor was forced at gunpoint into his own vehicle – a Toyota Fortuner – where his attackers drove off with him to an unknown location.
According to the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (known as the Hawks), the kidnappers have since demanded a ransom. Details have been kept confidential.
Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakhuvana told media of the US pastor’s kidnapping investigation: “A multidisciplinary task team consisting of various police specialised units [has been] activated. The joint team is currently following all possible leads to locate the victim and apprehend the perpetrators.”
The Hawks urged anyone with information relating to the investigation to come forward.
USA TO SA
According to the Associated Press, Josh Sullivan, his wife Meagan, and their children moved to South Africa in 2018. The couple set up a local branch of the Fellowship Baptist Church in the Motherwell area.
They also established their NGO Sullivans in South Africa and a YouTube channel to document their work with underprivileged communities in Gqerberh.a
Sullivan said of his humanitarian work on his blog: “In 2013, I accepted the call to go the mission field in South Africa. We arrived in South Africa in November 2018. We are looking to finish language school soon and plant a church for the Xhosa-speaking people.”
‘THEY KNEW HIS NAME’
According to a family spokesperson, Josh Sullivan’s kidnappers knew who he was..
Speaking to South African media, he said of the US pastor: “They knew his name. The men came into the church and initially held Meagan and walked her towards the door before saying, ‘Josh, is this your wife?’. They then pushed her to the ground and took Josh before driving off in his vehicle.”
WIFE AND MOM BEG PUBLIC FOR PRAYERS
Meanwhile, Facebook user Tonya Mortin Rinker – who claims to be Josh Sullivan’s mother – has appealed to the public for prayers.
She posted over the weekend: “My heart is breaking, please continue to pray for my son, daughter-in-law, grandkids and our family. They found his van abandoned but Joshua was kidnapped. I know he’s doing God’s work, and I also know he wouldn’t change that”.
Josh’s wife Meagan also asked her followers to pray for his safe return.
“We beg you to continue storming the throne room until Josh is safe at home”, she posted.
WHAT DO YOU THINK HAS HAPPENED TO US PASTOR JOSH SULLIVAN?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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