• Pastor Josh Sullivan rescued unharmed after being kidnapped during a church service.
• A high-intensity shootout occurred between police and his captors, resulting in three suspects' deaths.
• Sullivan was taken from Fellowship Baptist Church by armed men last week.

Josh Sullivan, a 45-year-old U.S. pastor, was rescued unharmed in South Africa following a dramatic police operation that took place after he was kidnapped during a church service. The incident occurred at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, Eastern Cape, where he was abducted by armed men last Thursday evening, according to CBS News.

The South African elite police unit, the Hawks, conducted a rescue operation based on verified intelligence and located Sullivan at a house in Gqeberha. As law enforcement approached, the suspects attempted to flee, resulting in a "high-intensity shootout" in which three of them were fatally wounded, reports Reuters.

During the rescue, Sullivan was found inside the vehicle from which the suspects had initiated their attack, miraculously unharmed. He was immediately assessed by medical personnel and found to be in excellent condition, as stated by the police in a detailed account of the operation BBC.

Following his release, Sullivan was able to reunite with his wife, Meagan, and their two children. The family had expressed their gratitude to those who supported them through this harrowing experience, with Sullivan's mentor confirming the news of his safe return to the community Newsweek.

The rise in kidnappings in South Africa has been attributed to high levels of crime, with a shocking 264% increase noted over the past decade. Experts indicate that kidnappings have become a prominent method used in robberies and carjackings, highlighting ongoing challenges in crime prevention in the region Africa News.