US pastor Josh Sullivan rescued in South Africa shootout after being abducted during sermon, 3 suspects dead: police

An American pastor abducted by gunmen during his sermon astatine a South African religion past week was rescued during a deadly “high-stakes” shootout, which near 3 suspects dead.

Josh Sullivan, 45, was rescued by nan “Hawks” — nan Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation — during a fatal shootout successful nan southeastern larboard metropolis of Gqeberha connected Tuesday, nan South African Police Service said.

Three unidentified suspects were killed successful nan “high-stakes shootout.”

Josh Sullivan preaches astatine nan Fellowship Baptist Church successful Motherwell Township, South Africa. Fellowship Baptist Church/Facebook

Sullivan was recovered “miraculously” unharmed successful a safe house, officials said.

The Tennessee autochthonal was preaching to his congregation of astir 30 group astatine nan Fellowship Baptist Church successful Motherwell erstwhile 4 equipped men collapsed successful and abducted him connected April 10.

Josh Sullivan pinch his woman Megan Witt Sullivan earlier his abduction. Meagan Witt Sullivan , /Facebook

The self-proclaimed “church planting missionary” moved his family from nan US to South Africa successful November 2018 to found a religion for Xhosa-speaking people, according to his individual website.

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