An American pastor has been abducted by masked gunmen in front of his wife and children as he was preaching during a church sermon in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province. 

Four men broke into the Fellowship Baptist church in Motherwell Township on Thursday evening, stealing two cellphones from members of the congregation before took away the pastor in his own truck.

Police have now initiated an investigation into abduction and armed robbery.

‘It is alleged that while a sermon was conducted at the church, four armed and masked male suspects entered the church,’ police told CBS News. 

‘They robbed two cell phones and then took the 45-year-old male pastor with them and fled the scene.’ 

Local media identified the pastor as 45-year-old Josh Sullivan, a missionary from Tennessee. 

On Saturday, Sullivan’s wife, Meagan, issued a statement through a family spokesperson, saying: ‘I just want to say thank you for the outpouring of love and prayers.

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

The church wrote in a statement: ‘He was kidnapped at gunpoint. Please pray for Josh Sullivan, missionary to South Africa.’

An American pastor, identified by local media as 45-year-old Josh Sullivan, was abducted by masked gunmen as he was preaching a sermon before a congregation in South Africa ‘s Eastern Cape province

‘Please pray for Josh Sullivan, missionary to South Africa,’ the church wrote in a statement. ‘He was kidnapped at gunpoint by six men during their church service this evening.’ Pictured: Pastor Josh Sullivan (left) with his wife, Meagan, and their children

Rev. Jeremy Hall, another local pastor, speculated that the kidnapping might have been financially motivated. 

He added that the abduction occurred during a prayer meeting attended by about 30 people, including Sullivan’s wife and children. 

‘The suspects knew him by name,’ Hall told AP.

Police confirmed that Sullivan’s stolen vehicle, a silver Toyota Fortuner, was found abandoned in Motherwell shortly after the abduction. 

The investigation has since been taken over by the Anti-Gang Unit and South African authorities have opened a case in the Motherwell precinct.

Captain Andre Beetge, a police spokesperson, stated that if a ransom is demanded, the case will be handed over to the Hawks, a specialized unit tasked with investigating organized crime, corruption and serious offenses.

‘Hawks officials are following all possible leads to locate the victim and apprehend the suspects,’ Lt. Col. Avele Fumba, a Hawks spokesperson, told BBC. ‘As far as we know, no ransom has been demanded.’

Beetge encouraged anyone with relevant information to come forward.

According to the Fellowship Baptist Church blog, Sullivan, along with his wife Meagan and their children, arrived in South Africa in November 2018 to establish the Motherwell branch. 

On his blog, Sullivan described himself as a ‘church-planting missionary’ who hoped to soon complete language school and reach out to the Xhosa-speaking community.

Sullivan had been a staff member at Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee, since February 2012.

On Saturday, Sullivan’s wife, Meagan (left), issued a statement through a family spokesperson, saying, ‘I just want to say thank you for the outpouring of love and prayers. We beg you to continue storming the throne room until Josh is safe at home’

As the search for Sullivan (left) continues, his supporters have flooded the church’s website and social media platforms with messages of hope and prayer

Tonya Rinker, a woman from Maryville who claims to be Sullivan’s mother, expressed her heartbreak on Facebook, asking for continued prayers for her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. 

She also noted that the US embassy in South Africa is involved in the search.

As the search for Sullivan continues, his supporters have flooded the church’s website and social media platforms with messages of hope and prayer.

‘We are now praying that you delivered from these evil men,’ a poster named Richard Stockton said on the church website. 

‘Praying the Holy Spirit well work on their hearts and be saved. And release you!!!’ 

Kody Moore, another supporter, described Josh as a ‘faithful brother doing much to make Christ known in Africa,’ adding, ‘Please pray for Josh’s safe return and for his family during this incredibly difficult time. May Christ be glorified.’