Tennessee Pastor Shares Incredible Story of Survival After Kidnapping in South Africa

Tennessee Pastor Shares Incredible Story of Survival After Kidnapping in South Africa

A Tennessee pastor who faced a harrowing kidnapping at gunpoint from his church in South Africa is now recounting his ordeal and the remarkable turn of events that led to his safe return.

Joshua Sullivan, a 34-year-old pastor from Fellowship Baptist Church and missionary operating in Motherwell, was taken by armed and masked men during a church service. On the evening of April 10, these criminals stormed into the church, confiscating cellphones from congregants and forcibly abducting Sullivan in his own vehicle.

Speaking with Fox News, Sullivan recalled the terrifying moment when the gunmen interrupted his sermon. Initially, the congregation thought the armed intruders were merely there to rob them, a common concern in South Africa known for its high crime rates. However, the situation escalated dramatically when one assailant struck him with a firearm and grabbed his wife, Meagan.

“We were praying before the service, and not long after I started preaching, four masked gunmen entered the church. We surmised they were there just to steal. I thought they would take my iPad, yet once he hit me, I knew we were in serious danger,” Sullivan recounted.

In a state of panic and fearing for his wife’s safety, Sullivan complied with the kidnappers’ demands without resistance. They forced him into his own truck, where one of the kidnappers revealed their motive. “They told me: ‘I know who you are. I know you’re American. We are going to kidnap you for 5 million Rand, which is about $260,000,'” he explained. The kidnappers were prepared for any potential tracking devices in his vehicle.

After driving a short distance, the criminals transferred him to another vehicle, continuing their journey while ordering him to keep his head down and his hood over his face.

Once in their hideout, Sullivan experienced a six-day ordeal. He was confined to a bedroom, bound and terrified, alongside three other captives who quickly recognized that they were merely holding him for ransom.

Among his captors, one man exhibited hostility, while another was perplexingly cordial, even inquiring about Sullivan’s meal preferences despite the dire circumstances. “Two kept me company, one of them being aggressive, while the other acted like a caretaker. When he asked what I wanted for supper, I didn’t want anything—all I could do was pray,” Sullivan recalled.

As the days wore on, the captors initially believed Sullivan hailed from the U.K. As he explained his identity and shared the message of the gospel, one inmate became intrigued, experiencing a rare moment of personal connection in such a chilling environment. Sullivan said, “One of them had never heard about Jesus’ love before; he listened intently to my words. Another remained indifferent but occasionally listened in just to hear my account. It was a chance to share my faith, even in captivity.”

Meanwhile, Meagan Sullivan described her husband’s absence as torturous. She and their six children, two of whom were adopted in South Africa, had called this country home for seven years. Previous experiences with local crime had prepared them, albeit inadequately, for this profound trauma.

Describing her despair, Meagan noted that initial police responses were lackluster, causing her further anguish. “There wasn’t much they could do, and their nonchalance left me feeling even more broken. I had to place my trust in God and take comfort in my children. I assured them we were safe in His hands,” she said.

While holding the family in communications with WhatsApp, the kidnappers continued to demand ransom for Joshua’s release, specifying an exorbitant sum. “Upon hearing the ransom amount, I crumbled. I pleaded for them to work with me, and their response was chilling: ‘You are not in any position to negotiate,'” recounted Meagan.

On the sixth day of captivity, destiny took a miraculous turn. The kidnappers decided it was time to relocate Joshua, and during this transfer, he sensed that something significant was unfolding. While being taken from the house, he accidentally stumbled, which ultimately set off an unexpected sequence of events.

As they moved him outside in a vehicle, gunfire erupted nearby. “All I could hear was chaos. Shots rang out, but I remained undetected. I was praying the whole time, unsure of my fate and contemplating whether to make a run for it,” Joshua explained.

Ultimately, those sounds signaled law enforcement action. The police had received a tip-off about suspicious activity and had inadvertently arrived at the location where Joshua was being held. When they approached, the kidnappers jumped out of the car and opened fire.

At that moment, an officer opened the door and asked, “Are you the American pastor?” to which Joshua responded affirmatively. He recalled, “When they removed my hood and I saw the police uniform, I just broke down into tears. It was pure disbelief and gratitude; that was when the shock set in.”

Joshua later learned that the police had taken a wrong turn while pursuing their leads. The situation escalated to a tragic confrontation that led to the deaths of three suspects in a shootout, effectively marking the end of his trauma.

Both Joshua and Meagan now view this experience as a defining moment in their lives. Joshua describes it as nothing short of a miracle, stating, “Whether or not you believe in divine intervention, what happened to me was extraordinary. God’s protective hand was upon us. Such events happen frequently, yet this time it was different—there’s no denying it was a miracle.”

For Meagan, witnessing their children’s fear transformed into faith as they endured the ordeal together has reaffirmed their commitment to their mission of spreading Christianity. “Our kids saw firsthand that faith isn’t just empty words; experiencing their prayer being answered was profound,” she added.

The Sullivans have emerged from this harrowing experience with a reinforced dedication to their ministry in South Africa. Reports indicate that kidnappings in the country have surged over recent years, compounding the challenges faced by missionaries and communities alike.

The Institute for Security Studies recently noted alarming trends in crime, with kidnapping rates having jumped significantly. Understanding this backdrop not only illustrates the dangers of their environment but also amplifies the importance of their mission. As they continue their work, the Sullivans embody the resilience of faith in the face of adversity.