PRAYERS ANSWERED: Kidnapped American Pastor Josh Sullivan Rescued in Deadly Shootout

UPDATE: 

The American missionary who was kidnapped at gunpoint by masked men during his church service in South Africa has been rescued after a deadly shootout with his captors.

South African law enforcement rescued Pastor Josh Sullivan after hunting down the kidnappers and locating them in a car parked outside a house about 20 minutes from his church. The suspects reportedly tried to escape while shooting at the police officers. Three perpetrators were then fatally shot in the high-intensity shootout that followed.

Sullivan, who describes himself as “a church-planting missionary” on his personal website, has been reunited with his wife Meagan and their children.

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“The victim was found inside the same vehicle from which the suspects had launched their attack,” Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba said. “Miraculously unharmed, he was immediately assessed by medical personnel and is currently in an excellent condition.”

A man named Tom Hatley, described by Sullivan as his training pastor, confirmed the rescue, stating online, “Josh has been released... Thank you for your support and prayers. Please do not stop praying for The Sullivans.” 

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EARLIER REPORT:

The Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee, had shared the initial kidnapping news on its Facebook page. The Tennessee pastor's abduction was allegedly intended for a ransom, but details were sparse. 

Avele Fumba of the South African Police Service had previously confirmed to ABC News that the agency's elite Hawk unit was investigating the reported kidnapping of "a man believed to be the pastor of a local church" in the Gqeberha area.

Sullivan was holding a prayer meeting with about 30 people, including his wife and children, when four kidnappers entered the building.

"It is alleged that while a sermon was conducted at the church, four armed and masked male suspects entered the church," police said in a statement. "They robbed two cell phones and then took the 45-year-old male pastor with them and fled the scene."

Reverend Jeremy Hall, a pastor based in the city, told AFP that the kidnappers "knew him by name."

The father of six has been working in South Africa since 2018 because he had a "tremendous desire to share the gospel with the Xhosa people of South Africa," Pastor Tom Hatley of Fellowship Baptist Church in Tennessee said.

PRAYERS for PASTOR SULLIVAN:

The church posted the news on Facebook, asking members of the community to pray for Sullivan and his family. Hundreds have posted prayers, and thousands of others have shared the post to bring awareness to a dangerous situation. 

"Be merciful, Father. Protect this brother and his family from harm. Be glorified even in the midst of this kidnapping of our brother in Christ. Bless him for his faithfulness," read one post.

"God protect your servant in Jesus' name Amen," another person wrote. 

"We are now praying that you delivered from these evil men," a person named Richard Stockton said on the church website. "Praying the Holy Spirit will work on their hearts and be saved. And release you!!!"

At the time, Sullivan's mother told ABC News that she and her family were keeping the faith that her son would return to his family soon. 

"As a mother, you never think about something like this happening to your child, but faith carries you through the uncertainty," Tonya Morton Rinker told Fox. "Joshua's humor and wit are a blessing, he's always ready with a joke, and forever seeking to make people laugh. He's an exceptional father, husband, and son, embodying kindness, strength, and generosity."

"He has a servant's heart, a kind, compassionate spirit, and is filled with selflessness. He has a burden for lost souls and has devoted his life to serving God in South Africa. I pray for his safe return, filled with faith and assurance," she continued.