A member of The Church on the Way in Valencia is now back home uninjured with his family in Granada Hills after being kidnapped Thursday in Mexico.

Kyle Bauer, who is reportedly a grandson of the founder of The Church on the Way in Van Nuys, was not harmed during the kidnapping, according to Pastor Gary Howse, who’s a member of the church.

Bauer was kidnapped Thursday evening some time after he left the house he was staying at, Howse said. He wasn’t sure of the exact circumstances of the incident.

However, shortly after Bauer was noticed to be missing, the group he was with was contacted.

“They contacted the church”, Howse said, which has a series of protocols, because such incidents are not unheard, although this was the first time it happened to the Valencia church during a mission in Mexico.

“Americans are sometimes targeted,” he said.

The church contacted the proper authorities, including the state department and the FBI, Howse said.

Bauer was returned to the group unharmed.

Bauer was home with family as of 11 a.m. Friday, Howse said.

Pastor Doug Andersen released the following statement about the incident:

On behalf of the family we would like to thank all those who so diligently prayed. In addition we are all the more thankful for, and indebted to, a God who loves us so deeply and looks after us so faithfully. It was His protective hand which has brought this situation to a conclusion. Though we were all scrambling to determine what to do, and how to act, God was in control leading, guiding, and guarding all the way. Praise the Lord!

Because of the nature of this situation we were asked last night to keep information close to the vest to protect Kyle and help expedite his safe return. Nonetheless much information was circulated. This is to help clarify what happened to the best of our current understanding.

Kyle Bauer, Foursquare missionary in Puerto Vallarta Mexico, was kidnapped Thursday afternoon, March 14. Through the efforts of the Foursquare Church working with local authorities, the FBI, and the U.S. Embassy, as well as coordinated communication between family, and hostage consultants, Kyle was returned safely to his family at approximately 11am local time today. He, his wife, and family are safe.

It was a true comfort to all embroiled in the emotional battle and the confusion of this evil situation, to have an advocate as skilled and equally invested in the situation as our family at Foursquare. Also, we again thank those who faithfully prayed, and ongoing team who have been supporting the Bauers spiritually during this time in Puerto Vallarta.

Praise the Lord that His strength is perfected in the midst of our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9) and that He is the God of peace who crushes satan beneath our feet and distributes to us the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 16:20).

We will discuss this further at our Sunday services this weekend (9 a.m. & 11 a.m.).