Family and friends of US pastor Josh Sullivan are celebrating his safe rescue by police after he was kidnapped and held hostage for ransom from his Gqerberha church last week.
The 45-year-old and his family have been living in South Africa since 2018 after establishing a church in the Eastern Cape.
US PASTOR RESCUED, KIDNAPPERS KILLED
Less than a week after his kidnapping in church mid-sermon, Josh Sullivan was rescued by police from a KwaMagxaki property in Nelson Mandela Bay.
On Tuesday, 15 April, The dramatic “high stakes” rescue saw police shoot and kill three suspects who held the US pastor for ransom.
According to Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba, a special task team acted on verified intelligence into the missing man’s whereabouts.
Fumba claimed that the suspects had attempted to flee the scene and had opened fire on police.
“The officers responded with tactical precision, leading to a high-intensity shoot-out in which three unidentified suspects were fatally wounded.”
The US pastor was found “miraculously unharmed” in the house and was treated by medical personnel. He is in “good health”.
FAMILY, FRIENDS CELEBRATE GOOD NEWS
Celebrating his safe return, Josh Sullivan’s family and friends have shared their joy on Facebook.
Tonya Morton Rinker – the mother of the US pastor – posted: “HE’S HOME, My Baby is free! Joshua was rescued earlier today! He is home with Meagan and the kids. PRAISE GOD FOR HIS GRACE AND MERCY. Praise The Lord Jesus Christ!”
Of reports that three suspects had been killed in a police shoot-out, she added in another post: “A sad situation. But I’m so thankful my son is home alive and safe”.
Others, both in the US and SA, also stated that the pastor’s safe rescue was nothing short of a “miracle.”
IS US PASTOR JOSH SULLIVAN’S RESCUE A MIRACLE?
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