American pastor kidnapped from church by masked gunmen while preaching sermon in South Africa

An American pastor living in South Africa was reportedly kidnapped from his church mid-sermon by a group of masked gunmen who stole from congregants and whisked the cleric away in his own truck.

Josh Sullivan, a 45-year-old Tennessee native, was taken away at gunpoint Thursday night when four men broke into the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell while the pastor was preaching to a congregation of roughly 30 people, which included his wife and six children, multiple outlets reported.

The alleged kidnappers, who also stole two cell phones from churchgoers, then sped off with the clergyman in his silver Toyota Fortuner, which was later found abandoned about a mile away shortly after the harrowing ordeal, police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge told the BBC.

He said the case is being handled by the Hawks, a specialized police unit in the region that investigates organized crime, economic crime, corruption, and other serious offenses.

“The police is currently following all possible leads to locate the victim and apprehend the perpetrators,” Hawks spokesman Lt. Col. Avele Fumba said, the outlet reported.

Rev. Jeremy Hall, a pastor based in the Eastern Cape province and the Sullivan family’s spokesperson, said he witness the disturbing events unfold and fears his colleague was abducted for ransom.

“They knew his name,” Hall told TimesLive.

“The men came into the church and initially held Meagan and walked her towards the door before saying, ‘Josh, is this your wife?’ They then pushed her to the ground and took Josh before driving off in his vehicle.”

No ransom has been requested, Beetge noted, while urging anyone with information to come forward.

Sullivan, who describes himself as “a church planting missionary,” moved to South Africa with his family from Tennessee in November 2018 to establish a church for Xhosa-speaking people, according to his personal website.

“We are looking to finish language school soon and plant a church to the Xhosa speaking people,” he wrote on his website.

Sullivan has also been on staff at Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville sine 2012.

“Please pray for Josh Sullivan, missionary to South Africa,” Fellowship Baptist Church wrote on Facebook Thursday.

Other supporters have since taken to the pastor’s personal blog and other social media platforms to offer their prays and well-wishes as Sullivan’s family awaits answers.

Family members have also asked that everybody pray for their loved one, with Sullivan’s father-in-law, David Witt, describing the state of the situation as “really tense,” WVLT reported.

Sullivan’s wife, Maegan, also released a statement Saturday night.

“I just want to say thank you for the outpouring of love and prayers,” she said, CBS reported.

“We beg you to continue storming the throne room until Josh is safe at home.” 

The US State Department told the outlet the federal agency is aware of the alleged abduction but did not provide additional information.

The State Department did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.