The kidnapping of a Tennessi pastor working in South Africa has come into fuel by armed robbery, amidst the rate of kidnapping in the country in the last 10 years.
Josh Sulivan, a 34 -year -old Fellowship Baptist Church pastor, and a missionary working in the maternal, was allegedly kidnapped by several armed, masked men, who broke in his church in the eastern Cape province on the evening of April 10, took the cellphones from the parisian and went away with the Sulivan in his own truck.
Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Africa said in a December 2024 report, “South African Police Services (SAPS) annual crime figures show that in the last decade, the kidnapping increased from 4,692 to 264% to 264% in 2014/15 to 17,061 in 2023/24.” “The most recent quarterly crime data released on 25 November (2024) show a continuous growth.”
The ISS Africa report states that most of the kidnapping incidents were extended in the 2023–2024 time period.
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Tenasi’s 34 -year -old Pastor Josh Sulivan has been kidnapped in South Africa. (Fellowship Baptist Church/Facebook)
Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Nedipaye Mhalkhuvan told South African news outlet IOL that the suspects abducted by Sulivan demanded a ransom.
“In response to the incident, a multi -disciplinary work team of various police particular (SIC) units was active (ING) was active. The joint team is currently following all possible leadership to detect the victim and catch the culprits. A ransom was sought by the suspects.”
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Iol reported that the South African Directorate is known for priority crime investigation, known as Hawks, urged anyone with information, “all information will be treated with strict secrecy.”
ISS Africa reports stated that less than 5% kidnapping in South Africa involves demand for ransom.
Republican Tensi Sen Marsh Blackburn said in a statement to Fox News Digital that “prayers are with those who are tirelessly efforts to protect from Pastor Sulivan and those vicious criminal gangs.”
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Blackburn said, “I have been in touch with the State Department and have presented an investigation with the embassy in South Africa, and they are working to help the family in any way,” Blackburn said.
Sen Marsha Blackburn, R-Ten., Said that he is in touch with the State Department about the kidnapping of Joshua Sulivan in South Africa. (Photo by Stephanie Reynolds-Poper/Getty Image)
Bobby McDonald, a lecturer of criminal justice at New Heaven University in Connecticut, told Fox News Digital that it seems that like “working in different countries”, whether it is in African countries or South American countries, many times they are running in situations where heavy gang -related activity or desire from various countries … which are trying to create a difference … “
“South Africa, in the last few years-and I have gone there once-you can have a very well-in-law in South Africa and a few moments later in an underdeveloped or deprived neighborhood-which we have seen in the past in Shanti cities.” There are many different areas … There are a little distance away from beaten path, and you can find some harm in a situation that can cause you and your family to be a little away from you.
Fellowship Baptist Church clergy Tom Hatley told Fox News’ Madison Scarpino that Sulivan was in a prayer meeting on Thursday, when “someone came in, and then others chased him, and he told him the name and then, and then, and for a long story, they took him to gun tip.”
“It was something that we all knew that could be there, but we always expected and prayed that it would not happen,” Hatley said.
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He said that Fellowship Baptist leaders “Josh would be returned on that Thursday night, and when he was not, we expected it to come back on Friday morning. But things have not worked like this.”
Tenasi Pastor Joshua Sulivan, who works missionary in South Africa, was abducted on 10 April. (Facebook)
Sulivan remains “calm and calm” and is “handling the situation”, Hatley said.
In a live discussion posted by Sulivan’s Home Church in Tennessee, Fellowship Baptist Church, four months ago, Sulivan and his wife narrated stories in South Africa. He spent a total of six years in the country and set up a new church in Motherwell in 2021.
Sulivan said in the video, “Looting is a very common phenomenon. It is super common.”
His wife recalled a time when she was robbed of a new iPhone.
The church said, “The crime is not stems from the gang. There are gangs … but it is not that the crime is from where it stems,” He said that many locals “cannot put food on the table.”
Josh Sulivan has a passion for the game and used to be a champion high school football player. (Facebook)
“They are really just looking for money,” he said.
McDonald’s stated that “a little money can be a lot of money in some areas” in others.
“Perhaps this is something that is running very heavy in that area, and these gangs may lead to other kidnappings below the road. … It will be interesting to see how South African officials want to handle it,” he said. “This is never good when someone is kidnapped. It is worse when missionaries from other countries are kidnapped.”
Sulivan’s mother, Tony Morton Rinkar described Sulivan’s “humor and intellect” as “blessings”.
“(H) E is always ready with a joke, and is trying to make people laugh forever,” he said in a statement. “He is an extraordinary father, husband, and son, a symbol of kindness, strength and generosity. He has a servant, a kind kind and full of selflessness. He is a burden for lost souls and his life is dedicated to serve God in South Africa. I pray for his safe comeback, trust and assurance.”
Missionary Mark Coffee described Sulivan as “a kind, big -hearted, gentle giant” in a Facebook post.
Josh Sulivan’s family is arguing for a reply after kidnapping on 10 April. (Facebook)
“Originally from Maryivile, Tennessi, Josh is 34 years old and is a member of the Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryivile, where Pastor Tom Hatley is his pastor,” said Coffee. “Growing up, Josh developed a deep love for the Games and was a standout football player at Maryivile High School, where he was part of three state championship teams. The same passion and discipline now fuel their hearts for the mission and ministry. Josh and his wife, Megan, first came for six months as part of their bible training in South Africa.
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Coffee continued: “It was during this time that Prabhu started shaking his hearts especially for the people. He returned as full -time church planting missionaries in 2018, determined to share the gospel and change life. Their heart has become home.”
Sulivan has also taken two Xhosa children to lift with her children.
