A U.S. pastor named Josh Sullivan was allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint during a Thursday Church service in South Africa on April 10. Reportedly, Sullivan was in the middle of a sermon when four armed male suspects entered the church.
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The Fellowship Baptist Church in Tennessee
shared the news of the alleged kidnapping on the very same day that it occurred. The church asked for prayers for pastor Josh Sullivan and shared that the gunmen kidnapped him at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, South Africa. Present at the church were 30 people, including Sullivan's wife and six children.The Associated Press reported through CBS News that there were "four armed and masked male suspects" involved in the abduction. The suspects also allegedly took two cell phones.
Rev. Jeremy Hall, who is also stationed in Motherwell, told the AP that Sullivan's alleged abduction might have been "financially related." He further alleged that the suspects knew Sullivan by name. Furthermore, they forced him inside a vehicle that was later abandoned a mile away from the church.
As reported by WVLT, the gunmen have already asked for an undisclosed ransom. Furthermore, the outlet reported that both the FBI and the U.S. Embassy were negotiating with he alleged kidnappers.
Family Reacts
While Josh Sullivan appears to be alive and negotiations reportedly continue their course, his family is thankful for the support and prayers they have been receiving. Among them is Sullivan's wife, Megan, who was reportedly present when the alleged kidnapping took place.
"I just want to say thank you for the outpouring of love and prayers," Megan said in a statement. "We beg you to continue storming the throne room until Josh is safe at home."
Similarly, David Witt, Sullivan's father, described the incident as a "really tense situation" and continued to ask for prayers.
"It's devastating in terms of the children," Witt told WVLT. "These are my children and grandchildren. On the flipside, we serve a big God. We trust in him."
According to Josh Sullivan's website, he has been a staffed pastor at Fellowship Baptist Church since 2012. He, along with his family, arrived in South Africa in November 2018.
