A pastor who was allegedly kidnapped while preaching at a church service in South Africa is praising God for saving him.
Josh Sullivan, 34, and his family were working at a church in Motherwell in South Africa earlier this month, when it's alleged that six armed men entered the church and kidnapped the pastor.
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.
"I want to begin by thanking God for delivering me from what was undoubtedly the worst experience of our lives," said Josh in a post on his Facebook page. "I also want to thank him for delivering me from my sin 28 years ago when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour. Because of my personal relationship with Jesus, He gave me the peace I needed to get through."
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.
He also says he is thankful for the people who prayed for him while he was in captivity.
"It was because of these prayers that God performed a miracle a few nights ago."
Sullivan went on to thank the South African Police Department, HAWKS, FBI, DSS special agents, and his friend, Jeremy Hall, who he says was instrumental in locating him. He also thanked his wife, Meagan, for her strength and resilience as she held things together.
"As we begin the difficult process of healing and moving forward, we kindly ask for privacy during this time. I have a miraculous story to share, and I look forward to telling it when the time is right."
Josh and his wife, Meagan, have four children. They have also taken in two Xhosa children.