On Wednesday (April 16), the South African Police Service released a statement sharing that American missionary Josh Sullivan has been successfully rescued.
Sullivan, 34, was kidnapped at gunpoint by four masked men while preaching in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province last week.
According to the statement, the successful rescue was the result of a “multi-disciplinary law enforcement operation led by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation known as the HAWKS.”
Verified intelligence provided authorities with the knowledge that Sullivan was being held captive at a safe house in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha.
RELATED: Pray for US Missionary Josh Sullivan, Kidnapped at Gunpoint in South Africa
“As officers approached the house, they observed a vehicle on the premise,” police statement said. “The suspects inside the vehicle upon seeing law enforcement allegedly attempted to flee and opened fire on the team. The officers responded with tactical precision, leading to a high-intensity shootout in which three unidentified suspects were fatally wounded.”
Following the shootout, officers found Sullivan in the vehicle “miraculously unharmed.” Sullivan was found in “excellent condition” after being accessed by medical personnel.
The South African Police Service praised the inter-agency collaboration for the successful recovery of the kidnapped Sullivan.
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Sullivan’s mother, Tonya Rinker, praised God for keeping her son safe. Rinker posted on social media:
HE’S HOME, My Baby is free! Joshua was released earlier today!! He is home with Meagan and the kids. PRAISE GOD FOR HIS GRACE AND MERCY. South Africa media has started broadcasting. American media will follow. Thank you for your support and prayers. Please continue to pray for him, Meagan and the kids and our family! Praise The Lord Jesus Christ!
Referring to the kidnappers who were killed during her son’s rescue, Rinker later wrote, “A sad situation but I’m so thankful my son is home alive and safe. Thank you Lord!”
Tom Hatley, the pastor of Sullivan’s sending church, Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee, posted, “Josh has been released. I just got ‘the go ahead to let it be known.’ SA media has started broadcasting. American media will follow. Thank you for your support and prayers. Please do not stop praying for The Sullivans. Praise The Lord Jesus Christ!”
🚨NOW: PASTOR JOSH SULLIVAN RESCUED FROM KIDNAPPERS IN SOUTH AFRICA‼️
🚩This is the house where the kidnapped US pastor was rescued in Gqeberha. Three suspects were shot dead.
The American missionary who was kidnapped at gunpoint by masked men during his church service in South… pic.twitter.com/npQovMjfMo
— Pastor Travis Johnson (@BasedPastorTrav) April 16, 2025
Correction: This article has been updated to reflect Sullivan’s correct age.