It’s a miracle from God.
Pastor David Theobald celebrated the safe return of Ryan Corbett, who was held captive by the Taliban for nearly 900 days. Corbett, who was abducted in August 2022 while on a business trip, was released and reunited with his family in San Antonio, Texas. His family, while grateful, requested privacy as Corbett begins his recovery after such a long period of detention. Theobald, who has known the Corbett family for many years, expressed his joy in seeing their reunion and reflected on how his church supported the family during the difficult time.
Theobald, who leads Grace Baptist Church, shared that when Corbett was first captured, only a small group of people knew about the situation. The church maintained the family’s privacy until the story became public. He described the responsibility of knowing about Corbett’s capture and how the church community provided emotional support during the long period of silence, helping the family stay involved in worship and ministry. Corbett’s wife, Anna, and their children remained active in church activities, with Anna also teaching violin and performing at events.
When Corbett’s release was announced, Theobald received a phone call from Anna, who was overjoyed. He recalled being overwhelmed with emotion, struggling to contain his tears as he rejoiced with her. Theobald emphasized how the church community was a vital source of peace and strength for the Corbett family throughout this ordeal. The family’s resilience was inspiring, and Theobald praised their unwavering faith during such a challenging time.
The release of Corbett was part of a broader swap, in which Corbett and another American, William McKenty, were exchanged for Khan Mohammed, an Afghan national convicted of drug smuggling and extremism in the U.S. The two Americans were transferred to Qatar before being sent back to the U.S. The swap drew attention to the ongoing issue of Americans being held by the Taliban, with some speculating that there may be more hostages not yet publicly known.
The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and the Taliban, with some U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, suggesting that more American hostages might still be in Taliban custody. The International Criminal Court has also been active in seeking arrest warrants for Taliban leaders for their alleged human rights violations, particularly regarding the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan after the 2021 Taliban takeover.