Gqeberha, South Africa - April 11, 2025 - Sardar Mushtaq Gill, founder of LEAD Ministries Pakistan, has issued an urgent appeal to the global Christian community to unite in prayer for the safe return of American missionary Josh Sullivan, who was abducted during a church service in South Africa on Thursday evening.

According to reports, Sullivan, 45, a missionary from the United States, was delivering a sermon at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), when four armed and masked men stormed the building at approximately 7 p.m. The attackers, described by witnesses as aggressive and coordinated, forcibly seized Sullivan in front of his congregation, which included his wife, Meagan, and their children. Fortunately, his family was not physically harmed in the ordeal.

The assailants fled the scene in Sullivan’s silver Toyota Fortuner, which was later discovered abandoned just a few kilometers away. Authorities have confirmed that the incident is being investigated as both a kidnapping and an armed robbery. As of this writing, no group has claimed responsibility, and no ransom demand has been received.

“This is a grave moment, not only for Josh and his family but for the entire Christian missionary community,” said Gill in a statement released Friday morning. “We ask believers around the world to lift up Josh in prayer, asking for his protection, for strength for his family, and for wisdom for those seeking his safe return.”

According to reports, Sullivan had been serving in Gqeberha for the past three years, known among locals for his outreach and humanitarian efforts throughout Southern Africa. Local church leaders have expressed shock and sorrow over the incident, calling it an unprecedented act of violence in a place of worship.

South African police are appealing to the public for any information that could assist in locating Sullivan or identifying the perpetrators. They have assured the community that all available resources are being deployed to resolve the case swiftly.

Anyone with information is urged to contact local authorities immediately.

This incident has sparked renewed concerns about the safety of missionaries and religious workers in volatile regions, highlighting the ongoing risks they face in the pursuit of faith-based service.