KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The search for a pastor with connections to Maryville continues in South Africa after he was abducted at gunpoint during one of his sermons. Because of the abduction, 6 News looked into the dangers that come along with the work of a missionary.
Authorities in South Africa are investigating the disappearance of Josh Sullivan. The Knox County Association of Baptists (KCAB) explained that while some countries welcome missionaries, others don’t allow the spread of different faith.
“All we can do now is pray and that’s certainly a powerful thing to do” said Alan Price, the Director of Missions for the KCAB.
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Being a missionary is rewarding, but can be dangerous. Missionaries travel to different countries to share the gospel aware of the challenges they may face.
“It’s admirable what they’re doing, that they’re willing to leave all of the comforts of home, including the safety in some sense of home, and go around the world because of the belief that the message of the gospel needs to be heard by everybody around the world, and they’re willing to make those sacrifices to get it heard,” explained Price.
Depending on the country they travel to this risk can include crime and violence, disease, harsh climates and other risks.
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“You’re around the world in countries where other religions are more prominent, and those religions are not necessarily wanting our faith in there. And so, there’s always that danger and the missionary knows that. But the danger is undertaken because the message is urgent,” Price added.
Price offered his condolences to Sullivan’s family during this hard time.
“It’s very alarming to think you could be in your church preaching from your pulpit and be taken in front of everybody. Certainly, we are praying for them. I was in a church yesterday and that was brought up and he was prayed for. And so, we are praying for him and his family that not only he returned safe, but his family is at peace during this time because it’s got to be extremely difficult for them to be waiting,” explained Price.
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The Southern Baptist Missionaries International Mission Board takes the dangers of this work very seriously, using a variety of precautions to protect their missionaries. The South African Police Service in Motherwell opened an investigation into the abduction. The Police Anti-Gang Unit is now leading the investigation.
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