Deacon offers kidney to fellow deacon

[Clark]

http://www.pickenssentinel.com/view/full_story/14244493/article-Deacon-offers-kidney-to-fellow-deacon?instance=home_news_lead

Deacon offers kidney to fellow deacon
by Ben Robinson

Often, Christianity is about making sacrifices to that others can live more productive lives.

That is true for two members of Arial Baptist Church.

Doug Hanna serves the church as a deacon, and needs a new kidney to continue living a normal life. Allen Gilstrap also serves the church as a deacon, and is making the sacrifice to donate a kidney to Hanna to use.

The situation is one unlike anything that the Rev. Danny Parton, pastor of Arial Baptist, has not witnessed during his 24 years in the ministry.

“These are two men who joined the church around the same time, became friends, and even served together as deacons.” Parton said. “The one who is receiving the kidney would give a kidney to somebody if it meant saving their life. He is very Christlike. The one who is giving the kidney knows this.”

Several men of the church were tested to see if they would be the rare suitable donor. Only Gilstrap was approved as a potential donor.

The men will undergo surgery July 13 in Charleston.

“We will have a prayer service before they leave for Charleston,” Parton said.

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