In a moment of profound relief for a Tennessee family and their global community of supporters, Pastor Josh Sullivan, a 45-year-old American missionary, was rescued unharmed on April 15, 2025, in Gqeberha, South Africa, after a harrowing kidnapping that gripped the hearts of many. The dramatic rescue, marked by a fierce shootout that left three of his captors dead, brought an end to five days of anguish for Sullivan’s wife, Meagan, their six children, and countless others who had rallied in prayer for his safe return. The story of his abduction and deliverance is one of courage, faith, and the relentless pursuit of justice in a region plagued by rising crime.
On the evening of April 10, Sullivan was delivering a sermon at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, a township outside Gqeberha, when the unthinkable happened. Four armed and masked men burst into the church, where approximately 30 congregants, including Sullivan’s wife and children, were gathered for a prayer meeting. The intruders, who appeared to know Sullivan by name, initially seized Meagan, demanding confirmation of her identity before shoving her to the ground. They then forcibly took Sullivan, pistol-whipping him as they dragged him from the pulpit. The gunmen stole two cellphones from the congregation and fled in Sullivan’s silver Toyota Fortuner, which was later found abandoned a few miles away. The brazen attack, carried out in front of a stunned congregation, sent shockwaves through the community and beyond.
Sullivan, originally from Maryville, Tennessee, has been a dedicated missionary in South Africa since November 2018. Alongside Meagan and their children, he moved to Motherwell to establish a church for the Xhosa-speaking community, a mission driven by his deep faith and commitment to spreading the Gospel. Having spent two years learning the Xhosa language, Sullivan became a beloved figure in the township, known for his humor, kindness, and tireless service. His work as a “church-planting missionary” aimed to create a spiritual home for the nearly 10 million Xhosa speakers in South Africa, where he noted only five Xhosa-preaching churches existed. The targeted nature of his abduction suggested the kidnappers were familiar with his role and influence in the community, raising fears that the motive was financial, as kidnappings for ransom have surged in South Africa over the past decade.
As news of Sullivan’s kidnapping spread, a global outpouring of support emerged. The Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, where Sullivan had served since 2012, posted a heartfelt plea on social media, urging people to pray for his safe return. Meagan, through a family spokesperson, expressed gratitude for the love and prayers flooding in, while imploring supporters to “continue storming the throne room” until her husband was home. Supporters flocked to Sullivan’s blog and social media, leaving messages of hope and faith. One wrote, “We are praying that you are delivered from these evil men,” while another described Sullivan as a “faithful brother doing much to make Christ known in Africa.” The U.S. State Department, aware of the kidnapping, emphasized the priority of American citizens’ safety abroad, while local authorities in South Africa launched an intensive investigation.
The breakthrough came on April 15, when South Africa’s elite Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, acted on verified intelligence pinpointing Sullivan’s location at a safe house in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha. As officers approached, the suspects, stationed in a vehicle outside the house, attempted to flee and opened fire on the team. A high-intensity shootout ensued, with the Hawks responding with tactical precision. When the dust settled, three unidentified suspects lay dead, and Sullivan was found inside the vehicle, miraculously unharmed. Medical personnel assessed him on-site, confirming he was in excellent condition. The operation was a testament to the skill and determination of the Hawks, who have been grappling with a 264% increase in kidnappings over the past decade, often driven by organized criminal gangs targeting prominent individuals for ransom.
The Sullivan family, reeling from the ordeal, has requested privacy as they reunite and process the trauma. Meagan, who endured the terror of witnessing her husband’s abduction, posted a message of gratitude on social media, thanking supporters for their unwavering prayers. Pastor Tom Hatley, a mentor to Sullivan and a leader at the Tennessee church, announced the rescue with joy, writing, “Josh has been released. Please do not stop praying for the Sullivans.” The news sparked celebration among the couple’s supporters, who saw Sullivan’s survival as nothing short of miraculous.
While the rescue marks a triumphant moment, it also underscores the growing challenge of violent crime in South Africa, where kidnappings have become a troubling epidemic. The Sullivan case, one of three abductions reported in Gqeberha in recent weeks, highlights the dangers faced by missionaries and residents alike. For now, the focus remains on Sullivan’s recovery and the healing of a family shaken but unbroken. As they prepare to return to their home in Motherwell, the Sullivans carry with them the gratitude of a community and the strength of a faith that sustained them through their darkest hour.