(NewsNation) — A Tennessee pastor abducted in South Africa was rescued Tuesday during a shootout with police, and three of his alleged captors were killed, the South African Police Service said Wednesday.
Josh Sullivan, 45, has been based at the Motherwell Township branch of the Fellowship Baptist Church in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa since 2018, alongside his wife and two children.
Four men broke into the church on April 10 and reportedly stole two cellphones from members of the congregation before abducting Sullivan and taking him away in his own truck. Sullivan’s truck was found abandoned a few hours later.
A local multi-agency task force, including the anti-gang and serious organised crime units, took over the investigation. On Tuesday, officers approached a house about 20 minutes from the Baptist church, where they suspected Sullivan was being held.
Police said a shootout began when suspects in a car parked outside the house tried to escape and began firing. Three unidentified suspects were killed.
“The victim was found inside the same vehicle from which the suspects had launched their attack. Miraculously unharmed, he was immediately assessed by medical personnel and is currently in an excellent condition,” Lt. Col. Avele Fumba said in a statement.
Since his release, Sullivan, a self-described “church-planting missionary,” has been reunited with his wife and children.
A police officer inspects the scene where kidnapped U.S. pastor Josh Sullivan was rescued in a shootout during which three suspects were killed, in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha, South Africa, on April 16. REUTERS/Deon Ferreira 
A general view of the site where kidnapped U.S. pastor Josh Sullivan was rescued in a shootout during which three suspects were killed, in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha, South Africa, on April 16. REUTERS/Deon Ferreira 
A general view of the site where kidnapped U.S. pastor Josh Sullivan was rescued in a shootout during which three suspects were killed, in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha, South Africa, on April 16. REUTERS/Deon Ferreira 
Police officers inspect the scene where kidnapped U.S. pastor Josh Sullivan was rescued in a shootout during which three suspects were killed, in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha, South Africa, on April 16. REUTERS/Deon Ferreira
The Associated Press contributed to this report.