...eastern Cape Township Reels as Violence Strikes Fellowship Baptist Church

In a shocking incident that has left the local community reeling, Pastor Josh Sullivan, a 45-year-old American missionary, was kidnapped by armed men during a church service at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, Gqeberha, on Thursday evening. Officials have confirmed that four masked men stormed the service, escalating a situation that many had hoped would be a peaceful evening of worship.

According to police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge, the assailants not only disrupted the service but also made off with two mobile phones before escaping in Sullivan's silver Toyota Fortuner. "The suspects knew exactly who they were targeting," a source close to the investigation revealed.

Despite an immediate manhunt, authorities have so far been unable to locate the pastor. The vehicle was found abandoned shortly after the kidnapping, but Mr. Sullivan's whereabouts remain unknown.

“The police are currently following all possible leads to locate the victim and apprehend the perpetrators,” stated Lt Col Avele Fumba, a spokesperson for South Africa's elite police unit, the Hawks. This specialized unit, renowned for tackling serious organized crime and corruption, has now taken charge of the case. 

The U.S. State Department confirmed that they are aware of the kidnapping involving a U.S. citizen and assured that ensuring the safety of American citizens abroad remains their top priority.

Jeremy Hall, a spokesperson for the Sullivan family, recounted the harrowing events. "They knew his name," he shared, emphasizing the targeted nature of the attack. Hall was at the church with his wife and children during the incident, a detail that adds to the unsettling nature of the crime.

Sullivan's mother, Tonya Morton Rinker, took to Facebook to express her heartbreak over her son's abduction. "Our congressman and the American embassy are working on finding him," she wrote, underscoring the distress and urgency felt by his family and friends.

As of now, no ransom demand has been issued, a fact reported by local media outlet News24. This absence of a ransom request adds an air of unpredictability to the unfolding situation.

Pastor Sullivan, described on his personal website as "a church planting missionary," relocated to South Africa in 2018 with his family, driven by a mission to establish a church for Xhosa-speaking communities. His commitment to this cause now enters a grim chapter as his safety hangs in the balance.

This incident is tragically not isolated; police statistics reveal a staggering 264% increase in kidnappings across South Africa over the past decade. Just days prior to the attack on Sullivan, another kidnapping occurred in the region involving a Chinese national, further spotlighting the escalating violence.

As local authorities continue their search for Pastor Sullivan, the community and his family stand united in hope and prayer, longing for his swift and safe return. The situation highlights an urgent need for greater security measures in areas increasingly plagued by violent crime.