<p class="speakable">Authorities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa rescued a kidnapped American pastor during a deadly shootout on Tuesday at a house in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha.</p><p class="speakable">The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS) released a statement announcing that an operation led by the agency "resulted in the successful rescue" of an American pastor who was kidnapped. </p><p>Though the news release did not name the pastor, 34-year-old Josh Sullivan, of Tennessee, was kidnapped by several armed, masked men last week at his church in the Eastern Cape.</p><p>Police said they received tips that Sullivan was inside a safe house in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha. When they arrived at the home, suspects inside a car on the premises began firing at law enforcement and attempted to flee.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/download" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><strong><u>CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP</u></strong></a> </p><p>A "high-intensity shootout" took place and three unidentified suspects were killed. </p><p>Sullivan was found inside the same car that the suspects were in, but he was "miraculously unharmed," police said, adding that he is "currently in an excellent condition."</p><p><i>This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.</i></p>