A Church missionary with ties to Fayetteville was kidnapped in Haiti on Sunday, according to his family.
Pritchard Adams III was reportedly forced by four men into a vehicle as he was leaving evening services at his church in the northern city of Cap-Haitien. His wife, Dana, and a Haitian man who lives on the couple?s property also were taken, said his mother, Lucy Adams of Fayetteville. Dana and the Haitian man were later released unharmed.
Calls to the U.S. Department of State for confirmation of the kidnapping were not returned late Monday.
Lucy Adams said the captors initially wanted $90,000, although she said she did not know whether that was the current ransom demand.
?What they want is money, lots of money, lots of it,? Lucy Adams said. ?Of all the people in the world (they kidnapped) a missionary. I thought, ?They are barking up the wrong tree.??
Dana Adams has been in touch with her husband, and relayed to her in-laws that he is calm.
Pritchard Adams III has worked in Haiti for almost 24 years and has been in threatening situations before, said his father, Pritchard Adams Jr., a retired Army colonel. Shortly after the couple arrived in Haiti in the early 1980s, they spent a night hiding in their home while a rampage in their neighborhood killed 18 people.
Missionaries as well as wealthy Haitians have been kidnapped before. In July, two American missionaries were freed after a ransom was paid, according to news reports.
The parents said their daughter-in-law called them shortly after 6 a.m. Monday to tell them of the kidnapping. They said they are praying for their son?s safe return, as well as for his kidnappers.
Dana Adams, who is staying in a missionary compound in Cap-Haitien, has spoken with an FBI agent and a representative from the U.S. embassy in Haiti, the parents said.
The parents said she has been told to not promise the kidnappers any specific amount of money.
?They?re keeping the talks going,? Pritchard Adams Jr. said.
Pritchard Adams III was born in Berlin and lived in several countries, including Panama, as the Army moved his family around. He was ordained by the Evangelical Church Alliance and receives support from Northwood Temple in Fayetteville.
Through his organization, Rehobeth Ministries Inc., he has started a church with more than 1,000 members, started a school and a Bible college and hosts a radio show.
Pritchard Adams III and his wife have raised three children in Haiti, but the children all live in the United States.
A fellow missionary, Dr. Bruce Steffies of Linden, described Pritchard Adams III as ?a quiet-spoken guy, with very deep commitment and deep passion.?
Steffies added that he is worried about his colleague, but added that he is inspired by how calm and confident the parents have been.
Pritchard Adams Jr. said he is relying on faith that he will see his son again.
?We?re praying and believing,? he said. ?We just ask our friends to pray, too.?