It was a Sunday morning in February 2025 when I first learned that one of our church members, Eric, was on dialysis and in need of a kidney transplant.

I knew Eric as our men’s ministries leader and the father of a student in the youth group I lead at New Hope Community Church (Assemblies of God) in Gilroy, California.

Our lead pastor planned to ask congregants to consider donating a kidney. If a potential living donor came forward, the first step would involve testing to see whether that person was a good match for Eric. As soon as the pastor mentioned this to me, I felt a nudge from God saying I was a match.

I later shared this with my wife, Amanda, and we prayed about it together. Immediately, Amanda and I both felt a deep sense of peace and assurance from God.

The following Sunday, I asked Eric about the process and told him I would submit to donor testing. Eric was stunned and overjoyed. Making no promises, I agreed to take it one step at a time.

Initial tests revealed I was the same blood type as Eric. I received approval for proceeding to the next round of testing.

More bloodwork followed, along with an EKG and CT scan. At UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, I met with doctors, a social worker, and my assigned donor advocate.

Afterward, we waited and trusted God. I wasn’t nervous because I believed the Lord had led me on this journey.

Finally, last September, I received a phone call from my donor advocate saying the surgery was approved and I could share the news with Eric.

Amanda and I waited until Sunday so we could tell Eric and his wife, Jenn, in person. Witnessing their response to this answered prayer was such a blessing.

Christ demonstrated His love by dying for our sins. I could lay down my life for Eric in a different sense — by being willing to live with one kidney.

Some people asked why I was enduring a surgery and risking complications for someone who was “only a member of the church.”

My answer was simple: “I believe God’s Word.”

I explained that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for me on the Cross. The Church is God’s family, and Eric is my brother in Christ. I was giving this gift by faith, desiring to honor and glorify God through it.

Luke 3:11 says, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

Donating a kidney isn’t the same as giving up a shirt, of course. Still, I had two kidneys and Eric needed one.

Jesus said, “Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:12–13).

Christ demonstrated His love by dying for our sins. I could lay down my life for Eric in a different sense — by being willing to live with one kidney.

Following Sunday morning services on Feb. 8 of this year, Amanda and I drove to Sacramento in preparation for surgery the following morning.

Meeting Eric and Jenn in the hotel lobby, we all shared a time of prayer and Communion before retiring to our rooms.

Amanda and I spent the rest of that evening listening to worship music and making sure we had everything in order.

The morning of the surgery was peaceful as we walked the short distance from our hotel to the hospital. Amanda joined me in the pre-op area, where we met with the surgery team members.

While I waited to go to the operating room, Amanda and I listened to the worship playlist I had created for that day.

The transplant was a success. Eric’s new kidney began functioning immediately.

Eric and I both had a painful road to recovery ahead of us, but I was glad we could walk it together. I know we are forever bonded through this experience, and I am grateful to God for the opportunity.

Through it all, I have kept my eyes on Jesus, and my faith has grown.

Looking back on my decision to give up a kidney, my perspective remains the same. I believe God’s Word, which teaches there is no greater love than what Jesus has already shown me.

This article appears in the Spring 2026 issue of Influence magazine.