9th March, 2014
The Free Methodist Church USA announced the release of its kidnapped missionary in Nigeria, Phyllis Sortor.
In a statement signed on behalf of the Board of Bishops of the church, David W Kendall said the 71-year-old Sortor was released by her captors on Friday evening, 6th March. Kendall said armed gunmen abducted Sortor on 23rd February, not 24th February as previously reported, from Hope Academy school in Emi-Oworo village in the central Nigerian state of Kogi.
Saying Sortor was released into the care of authorities and Free Methodist Church leaders, Kendall thanked all in Nigeria and in the United States for efforts to secure her release. He did not state whether the church or Nigerian authorities paid a ransom.
“As a matter of sound policy, and to help protect the many, many people who helped secure Phyllis” freedom, we will have no comment concerning the efforts that were undertaken to secure her release,” he said. “Please continue to pray for Phyllis as she processes the ordeal she has faced. Also pray for Phyllis” family members, who have been profoundly affected by this experience. We are reaching out to them and will continue to minister to them in the days ahead.”
Sortor spent her childhood in Mozambique, born to Free Methodist missionaries Victor and Susan Macy, according to the statement. After living many of her adult years in Seattle, Washington, she and her husband, Jim, relocated to Rwanda, where they ministered for nearly six years, Kendall said.
The couple returned to Africa in 2005, this time serving in Nigeria, according to the church.
“After Jim”s death in October 2008, Phyllis remained in Nigeria where her main focus has been leadership development and International Child Care Ministries, the Free Methodist Church”s child sponsorship program,” the Free Methodist Church statement read. “She has also been instrumental in establishing schools in Kogi state for the children of Fulani herdsmen and in instituting grazing projects as one solution to long-term conflicts between Nigerian farmers and Fulani herdsmen.”
The church leadership added that in the course of her missionary service, Sortor faced security challenges but never gave up serving in the mission field.
“Phyllis was aware there were risks associated with her ministry, but also knew there are very few places in the world without risks and dangers,” Kendall said. “She recently said, “Heaven is for real! There is no guarantee in life; no safe place ” other than that place we find ourselves when our full faith and trust is in God!””
The news of the release of Sortor prompted many comments of gratitude posted on the church website.
“My fourth grade class in Kansas City has been praying for her release every day!” Judith Johnson Young wrote. “Can”t wait to tell them on Monday that their prayers have been answered!”
