Josh Sullivan Rescued in Shoot-Out After Kidnapping During South Africa Church Service

An American pastor, Josh Sullivan, has been rescued following a dramatic police operation in South Africa, days after he was abducted during a church service in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.

According to South African police, the 45-year-old missionary was freed unharmed on Tuesday evening after an intense exchange of gunfire between law enforcement and his captors. The rescue, led by the country’s elite crime-fighting unit, the Hawks, took place in the same area where he had been kidnapped last Thursday.

Police spokesperson Avele Fumba confirmed that the operation was based on verified intelligence. “A coordinated team acted swiftly upon locating the premises. As officers approached, suspects attempted to flee in a vehicle while opening fire on law enforcement,” he stated. “The officers responded with tactical precision, leading to a high-intensity shootout in which three unidentified suspects were fatally wounded”

The names of the deceased suspects have not yet been released, and authorities suspect the kidnappers may have had detailed knowledge of the Sullivan family’s movements.

The kidnapping sparked widespread concern, particularly among the local and international religious communities. Sullivan’s family and friends had been publicly appealing for his safe return. Jeremy Hall, a spokesperson for the family, told TimesLIVE that the abduction occurred while Sullivan was attending church with his wife and children. “They knew his name,” Hall noted, indicating the attack may have been premeditated.

South African authorities also revealed that a ransom demand had been made, which prompted the urgent involvement of the Hawks.

On his personal website, Sullivan describes himself as a “church planting missionary” who moved to South Africa in 2018 to serve Xhosa-speaking communities alongside his family.

South Africa has seen a troubling rise in kidnapping cases in recent years. Police statistics show a staggering 264% increase over the past decade, underlining the growing security challenges in the region.

While the successful rescue brought relief to many, the trauma of the incident remains. In a related comment, Sullivan reportedly said, “I survived, but part of me died that day.”

The investigation remains ongoing, as officials continue to search for other individuals possibly linked to the kidnapping plot.