The North Carolina church that’s home to the American pastor who was released in Turkey plans a welcome home party when he returns.
 
Spokeswoman Debi Forester of Christ Community Church in Montreat said Friday that the church’s senior pastor, the Rev. Richard White, has been in Turkey for a day or two with Andrew Brunson and his family.
 
She says White told her that Brunson’s supporters in Turkey were “shouting hallelujah and doing the happy dance” when they learned he was being released. She says plans for the party will be finalized once they know Brunson’s travel plans.
 
A Turkish court on Friday convicted the 50-year-old Brunson on terror-related charges, then released the evangelical pastor and allowed him to leave Turkey. He has lived in Turkey for more than two decades.
 
Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), James Lankford (R-OK), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) issued a joint statement on Brunson’s release.
 
“We are pleased that Pastor Andrew Brunson will finally be released from Turkish custody and will return to the United States as a free man. Pastor Brunson will be reunited with his loving family, whose relentless advocacy for his release helped inspire us and many others to the cause.
 
“The president, vice president, State Department and Congress have been truly committed to getting Pastor Brunson home. We encourage Turkish authorities to also release the others we have been advocating for who are wrongfully detained.
 
“In the end, the government of Turkey did the right thing, a decision that will help strengthen the longstanding friendship between our two nations, as well as the NATO alliance.”

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