Taking it slow is crucial for the safe return of a Tennessee pastor abducted in South Africa, according to a former FBI agent

According to a retired FBI agent and hostage negotiator from Knoxville who spoke to Fox News Digital, there should be no rush in negotiations following the kidnapping of a Tennessee pastor while he was preaching at a church in South Africa.

Jason Pack emphasized the importance of staying calm, slowing down the process, and engaging in dialogue to understand the demands of the hostage takers. This approach, he noted, is crucial in such situations.

He assured that U.S. authorities are in close coordination with South African officials, who are actively leading the investigation. Additionally, the FBI has a legal attaché office in the region, further emphasizing the involvement and support provided by U.S. agencies.

Pack explained, “Negotiators want to buy time and slow things down. Generally speaking, when an incident like this happens, there’s a lot of adrenaline pumping, a lot risk for violence. So generally, at the time when these incidents happen, that’s the highest risk for violence. So now there’s time, hopefully there’s an open line of communication and there’s opportunity to make this end safely for everybody.”

ost of these things are settled with words and not force. So, the more you can have open dialogue, the more we can talk and listen, I think the more successful you can be in these type situations.”