Josh Sullivan, who invited the American pastor, was rescued by South African authorities.

Officials in South Africa’s Eastern Cape state rescued an American pastor who was lured in a fatal shootout at the Kwamagxaki home in Gqeberha on Tuesday.

The Hawks has issued a statement announcing that it was made as a result of the “successful rescue” of a kidned American pastor.

The news release did not name him the pastor of 34-year-old Josh Sullivan from Tennessee, but was invited by several armed masked men at a church in the Cape last week.

American pastor Josh Sullivan, who was lured from a church in the Eastern Cape last week, was rescued by police after a “high-intensity shootout.” (Fellowship Baptist Church/Facebook)

Police said they received hints that Sullivan was inside a safe home in the Kwamugakki in Gukeberha. When they arrive at the house, they are suspected of starting to fire with law enforcement inside the car on the property, and attempting to escape.

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A “high-intensity shootout” took place, killing three unidentified suspects.

Sullivan was found in the same car where the suspect was, but he was “miraculously unharmed,” police said.

This is a broken news story. Please check for updates.