Freed pastor's mother 'overwhelmed with joy'

There is a sign outside Pamela and Ron Brunson's home in Black Mountain North Carolina: “HE IS COMING HOME.”

The Brunsons are Andrew Brunson’s parents. Andrew Brunson was detained for two years in Turkey.

“All of us are just overwhelmed with joy and thanksgiving,” Pamela Brunson said.

Pastor Andrew Brunson was arrested in Turkey in October 2016.

He was accused of helping a failed military coup against Turkey's president.

Brunson was convicted and sentenced to more than three years.

But on Friday, a court decided the two years he already spent detained were enough and released him.

Brunson and U.S. officials called the charges against him baseless.

“In the beginning, we did not know if he would survive,” she said. “It was so bad for him.”

She believes there were a number of reasons her son was finally released, she said.

“We would get messages from Brazil, China, New Zealand, England,” she said. “It was amazing how many people prayed for Andrew.”

The family also believes the White House played a key role in getting him home.

Andrew Brunson has a wife and three children. His mother said his immediate plans include some quiet time with his family.