By Mark Ogagan
A kidnapped American pastor has been rescued in South Africa following a deadly shootout at a house in the country’s Eastern Cape province, officials have announced.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS) said an operation led by the agency “resulted in the successful rescue” of an American citizen, “reportedly a local pastor who had allegedly been kidnapped and held at a safe house in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha, on 15 April 2025.”
Though the news release did not name the pastor, 34-year-old Josh Sullivan, of Tennessee, was kidnapped by several armed, masked men last week at his church in the Eastern Cape, Fellowship Baptist Church Motherwell.
“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!” Tom Hatley, pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee, wrote early Wednesday morning in a Facebook post.
Discussion about this post