17-04-2025
Maryville pastor reunites with family after abduction, shootout in South Africa
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A missionary and pastor with Maryville connections has been reunited with his family days after being abducted in South Africa.
According to the South African Police Service, 34-year-old Joshua Sullivan was abducted from Fellowship Baptist Church in the Motherwell Township of South Africa Thursday, and had been held captive since.
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Police said they found him Tuesday in a vehicle outside of a safe house they believe he was being held in, and after three unidentified suspects were fatally shot, Sullivan walked away unharmed.
His mother, Tonya Rinker, said in a statement to 6 News he was unharmed and happy to be back with his wife, Meagan, and six children. After days of waiting and praying for Sullivan's return, Mark Coffey with Missionaries to South Africa said their prayers were finally answered.
'So April 15th, instead of Tax Day is Josh Sullivan Day,' said Coffey.
When he initially learned of Sullivan's situation, Coffey said he thought it would have a different outcome.
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'We kind of thought that it would be a situation where they took Josh, and then took him to like an ATM machine and maybe pull money out, give them money,' said Coffey. 'Then the hours passed and nothing happened, and we were just praying and asking God to bring him back in the interest of protect him.'
As a missionary himself, who also serves full-time at a church 15 minutes away from Sullivan's, Coffey said they know the dangers of the job.
'As we go into these places, we think of it as our service, you know? We don't go in to die, we don't go in to risk their lives or to risk our family's lives, but we know that Jesus is worth it,' he said.
Having known Sullivan for nearly 10 years, Coffey said he and his wife were devoted to their community in South Africa
'Josh is a servant, he's willing to jump in and help anywhere he can, whether it's financially, whether it's just going and working, anything we ever needed to do or try to do there in South Africa, Josh has always been involved. They just have a heart for the people,' said Coffey.
While Sullivan's abduction and rescue have all happened while Coffey was visiting the United States, he said he is not afraid to return to his work.
'We take precautions. We try to not put ourselves in an unnecessary danger. But if you want to impact the neediest people of the communities, you've got to be willing to risk something,' said Coffey.
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Sullivan's brother in-law, Zach Witt, who is also in South Africa offering support, told 6 News the past few days have been a roller-coaster, but they focused on their faith so they can continue their mission work there.
While it is still unknown why Sullivan was taken, the South African Police Service spokesperson told 6 News it is an ongoing investigation.
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