Kelly Carke from north eastern Texas succumbed to strong currents while undertaking a rescue attempt in Costa Rica, where he was serving as a missionary.
The New Covenant Church in Tyler, the city where Mr Carke came from, wrote on Facebook: "Losing Pastor Kelly has been hard on everyone.
"He was incredibly loved and appreciated by everyone he came in contact with. He knew no stranger, as he was a friend to all.
"Kelly was an incredible husband, father, youth pastor, and man of God.
"We will miss him terribly, and our love goes out to the Clarke family."
The youth pastor, who moved to the Central American nation to serve local tribes, had been swimming with his family and the family of another church leader when he got into trouble.
Mr Carke came to the rescue of Pastor Manuel, when he began to struggle after trying to reach his son who was swept into a riptide. Both Mr Manuel and his son later escaped to safety.
Writing on a GoFundMe page which is raising money for his family, Kelly Carke's brother-in-law, David Beard said: "We want to thank each and every one for their support both financially and the prayers.
"Kelly lived what he loved and loved what he lived.
"He lived to for Christ and spread His love and he loved living this out."