US Pastor Josh Sullivan Abducted in South Africa

Josh Sullivan, a 45-year-old American pastor, was kidnapped at gunpoint during a church service at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, South Africa, on Thursday evening. Four armed and masked men stormed the service, stealing two cell phones before abducting Sullivan and fleeing in his vehicle, which was later found abandoned nearby. Witnesses, including Sullivan's wife and children, reported that the suspects knew the pastor's name, leading to concerns about the motive behind the kidnapping, which may be financially related. The U.S. State Department has acknowledged the incident and emphasized the safety of American citizens abroad. Local police have transferred the investigation to the Hawks, an elite unit dealing with serious crimes, while no ransom has been demanded at this time. Sullivan, who moved to South Africa in 2018 to establish a church for Xhosa-speaking people, is currently being sought by authorities as they follow various leads in the case.