A pastor who was abducted while in the middle of a church service in South Africa last week has been safely returned to his family.
Josh Sullivan, 34, and his family were working at a church in Motherwell in South Africa last Thursday when it's alleged that six armed men entered the church and kidnapped the pastor.
Tom Hately, the pastor of Sullivan's home church, Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee, announced early Wednesday morning that Josh had been released.
"I just got the go-ahead to let it be known," said Hately. "Thank you for your support and prayers."
Josh's mother, Tonya Rinker, also took to social media to let the world know her son was safe.
"He's home. My baby is free! Joshua was released earlier today," said Rinker. "Praise God for his grace and mercy."
According to the South African Police Service, an operation to find Josh was launched after they received verified intelligence about his kidnapping and where he was being held.
In a statement, the SAPS said that officers noticed a vehicle on the premises with the suspects inside as officers approached the house.
The suspects inside the vehicle allegedly attempted to flee, and officers opened fire, leading to a high-intensity shootout in which three unidentified suspects were fatally wounded.
Police say Josh was found inside the same vehicle, miraculously unharmed. He was immediately assessed by medical personnel and released.
Josh's home church continues to ask for prayers for the family.
"Please do not stop praying for The Sullivans. Praise The Lord Jesus Christ!" said Hately. "Also, please respect the Sullivans' privacy and their parents. A lot of folks love The Sullivans, and they love you back, but give them some time."
The family's missionary bio says that Josh accepted God's call to preach in January 2010. He began Bible college at Fellowship Baptist Bible Institute in 2011 and graduated in early 2015.
In 2013, he accepted the call to go to the mission field in South Africa. Josh and his wife, Meagan, first came to South Africa in 2015 for a six-month internship as part of their Bible training.
Josh and his wife, Meagan, have four children. They have also taken in two Xhosa children.