American missionary Josh Sullivan is a free man and reportedly back safely with his wife and children, according to media reports. The 45-year-old missionary and pastor from Tennessee was rescued in dramatic fashion Tuesday (April 16) in South Africa following a deadly shootout between police and his kidnappers.
Sullivan had been abducted at gunpoint while preaching a sermon April 10 at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, located in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, according to media reports. Less than a week later, authorities — acting on a tip — reportedly located the kidnapped missionary in a suspected safe house. As police approached the area, suspects in a parked vehicle opened fire and attempted to flee, prompting an intense exchange of bullets that resulted in the deaths of three unidentified kidnappers, according to multiple media reports.
Sullivan was found inside the vehicle unharmed and is reported to be in good condition.
Prayers answered
Sullivan has served as a church planter in South Africa since moving his family there in 2018.
“We thank the countless believers who were in fervent prayer during this trying time,” wrote Jeffrey Bush, president of Vision Baptist Missions, Inc., the organization that helped provide care for the Sullivan family while authorities searched for the kidnapped missionary. “The Lord truly answered. We also deeply appreciate the courageous efforts of the authorities and others who worked tirelessly to secure Josh’s rescue. Our hearts are filled with praise to God, who has once again shown His power to protect and deliver His servants!”
His wife, Meagan, released a statement via Facebook and through other outlets April 11 urging continued prayer for her husband. “We beg you to continue storming the throne room until Josh is safe at home,” she wrote. Thousands of people engaged with Meagan’s post and shared it, urging others to pray for Sullivan’s safe return.
The Sullivans’ home church is Fellowship Baptist Church, an independent Baptist church in Maryville, Tennessee, where Sullivan has been on staff. Tom Hatley, pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church, where Sullivan has been on staff, confirmed the rescue in a post on social media, thanking supporters for their prayers for the Sullivan family.
“Josh has been released. … Thank you for your support and prayers,” he wrote in the post. “Please do not stop praying for the Sullivans. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!”
See more related headlines below:
A US pastor abducted in South Africa has been rescued after a police shootout —Associated Press
American pastor kidnapped in South Africa rescued after deadly police shootout —Fox News
US pastor rescued ‘miraculously unharmed’ by South African police after gun battle with kidnappers —CNN
PRAYERS ANSWERED: Kidnapped American Pastor Josh Sullivan Rescued in Deadly Shootout —CBN
Before abduction in South Africa, US missionary Josh Sullivan said he forgave man who robbed him —Christian Post
The links above are a sampling of headlines related to story and are not an endorsement of all viewpoints or reporting.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was compiled from multiple media reports by The Baptist Paper.
