Gqeberha, South Africa: American missionary Josh Sullivan, who was abducted at gunpoint during a church service in Gqeberha last week, has been rescued safely, authorities confirmed Tuesday evening. The news has sparked a wave of relief and gratitude across the global Christian community, many of whom had been fervently praying for his release.

Sardar Mushtaq Gill, founder of LEAD Ministries Pakistan, expressed profound thankfulness upon hearing of Sullivan’s safe return. “Praise the Lord Jesus Christ for His rescue,” Gill said in a statement. “Please do not stop praying for the Sullivans. As Christians, we feel close to their suffering—many of us in Pakistan also face kidnappings and persecution. Their pain is our pain.”

Sullivan, 45, was taken by four armed and masked men during a Thursday evening service at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, Gqeberha. The attackers stormed the building, seized Sullivan in front of his wife, Meagan, and their children, and escaped in his vehicle, which was later found abandoned.

The Church Planting Mission will continue globally, with renewed passion and dedication. LEAD Ministries is also actively contributing to church planting efforts across Pakistan, working to spread the message of hope and faith even in the face of persecution.

The incident prompted widespread prayer vigils and appeals for spiritual solidarity across continents. LEAD Ministries and other faith-based organizations had rallied support, calling the kidnapping a “grave moment” for Christian missionaries everywhere.