A retired FBI agent and hostage negotiator from Knoxville emphasized the importance of patience in negotiations for the safe return of a Tennessee pastor kidnapped in South Africa. He told Digital that “there’s no rush into this,” advising a calm, deliberate approach focused on understanding the hostage takers’ demands.
Jason Pack stated he believes U.S. authorities are collaborating with South African officials, who are leading the investigation. He noted the involvement of the U.S. embassy and the FBI’s legal attaché office.
Pack explained, that hostage negotiators prioritize slowing down the situation to de-escalate the risk of violence, which is typically highest immediately following the incident. He hopes that open communication will lead to a peaceful resolution.
Josh Sullivan, 45, was abducted by armed, masked men from his church in the Eastern Cape Province on Thursday evening. The perpetrators seized cellphones from parishioners before fleeing with Sullivan in his own vehicle.
Sullivan, a missionary, relocated to South Africa with his wife and two children in 2018.
“The primary objective, according to Pack, for both the South African and U.S. governments is the safe return of Pastor Sullivan to his family unharmed.
He noted that a positive aspect of the situation is that other family members were unharmed.
Pack suggested that the kidnapping may be motivated by financial gain rather than political reasons or anti-American sentiment.
“So hopefully that’s indicative of an open line and an open dialogue that the folks who are involved with this will want to do and so everybody can come home safely,” he said.
Pack mentioned that Sullivan and his family are from the same area of Tennessee as him and that the community is uniting in support, praying for Sullivan’s safe return and for his family in East Tennessee.
He told Digital that “most of these things are settled with words and not force, emphasizing the importance of open communication and listening for a successful outcome.
He added that while capturing the kidnappers is important, the immediate priority is the safety of Mr. Sullivan and all individuals involved. Apprehension of the perpetrators can be addressed later.”
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