Dramatic Rescue: American Pastor Freed After South African Hostage Ordeal and Shootout
Sarah Johnson
April 18, 2025
Brief
American pastor Josh Sullivan, kidnapped in South Africa, was rescued after a police shootout that left three suspects dead. He is safe and unharmed.
An American pastor who was kidnapped in South Africa has been rescued after a violent police shootout that left three suspects dead, according to South African authorities.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, better known as HAWKS, revealed that a team operation led to the successful rescue of the American citizen. He was being held at a so-called safe house in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha, after being abducted on April 15, 2025.
Though officials kept the name under wraps, it’s been confirmed that the victim is Josh Sullivan, a 34-year-old pastor from Tennessee. Sullivan was kidnapped last week by several armed, masked men at the Fellowship Baptist Church Motherwell, right in the middle of his ministry work.
Tom Hatley, who leads the Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee, shared the good news on Facebook early Wednesday: “Josh has been released. I just got ‘the go ahead to let it be known’. SA media has started broadcasting. American media will follow. Thank you for your support and prayers. Please do not stop praying for The Sullivans. Praise The Lord Jesus Christ!”
The rescue was no easy feat. U.S. and South African law enforcement agencies joined forces, with the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service supporting the search and providing help to the Sullivan family. The State Department underscored that the safety of U.S. citizens abroad is always top priority, but didn’t offer more comment after the rescue.
According to reports, Sullivan was taken last Thursday when four men stormed his church and forcibly removed him from the pulpit. His truck was found abandoned hours later, which only deepened the mystery and urgency of the case.
Police explained that they received information leading them to a safe house in Gqeberha. When officers arrived, suspects in a car on the property opened fire and tried to escape. What followed was a "high-intensity shootout" that ended with three suspects dead. Miraculously, Sullivan was found inside the suspects’ car, unharmed and in good condition—talk about divine protection.
Sullivan’s journey to South Africa began back in 2018, when he moved there with his wife and two kids after completing a missionary internship. He dedicated himself to serving the Xhosa people, even learning their language to better connect with the community. According to fellow missionary Mark Coffey, Sullivan’s commitment was unwavering: he spent two years in language school so he could minister more effectively.
Right now, Josh Sullivan is safe and well, and his community—on both continents—couldn’t be more relieved. The rescue comes as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by missionaries and aid workers in regions plagued by crime, but also highlights the sheer grit of those determined to make a difference.
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Editor's Comments
You know things have gone sideways when a rescue mission ends up looking like the plot of an action movie. Thankfully, Pastor Sullivan’s story ends on a good note—and let’s be honest, being found alive in a getaway car after a shootout is one heck of a survival tale. Maybe next time, someone in the security detail will remember to pray for a quieter week.
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