My Kidney Donation Story: Rev. Jonathan Trees
I first heard about kidney donation when our church, Grace Church of the Nazarene, was approached by REACH Kidney Care. One of our congregation members had been diagnosed with Wegener’s disease and needed a kidney transplant. He had asked his transplant coordinator to visit our church to discuss kidney failure and the potential for living donation. She shared eye-opening information on how living donors could transform lives, especially for those battling kidney disease.
My wife and I became personally connected to the struggle of kidney failure, spending time with friends impacted by dialysis. Realizing how deeply kidney disease was affecting their daily lives made it clear we needed to do something. Knowing the need and potential solutions, we knew we couldn’t just walk away.
To educate our congregation on living donation, we included the topic in our church’s Live Generously series. As a result, 21 members were inspired to take action and volunteered to be screened as potential donors. I was among them, and soon, I was matched with one of two of our congregation members in need. A friend of mine was a match for another member of our church.
The entire process was surprisingly straightforward and supportive. The REACH Kidney Care team made sure I was fully informed and prioritized my well-being at every step. The surgery itself was brief, and I was back on my feet by the next day. The recipient, who had been waiting for years, started showing improvements almost immediately, and his new kidney was functioning within hours. In the faith world, we call that miraculous.
Six months later, the second parishioner received her kidney from another member of our congregation.
Through this experience, I saw firsthand the power of living donation—not only as a chance to talk about healing but as an opportunity to bring it into reality. I’m now a volunteer for the Tennessee Kidney Foundation, DCI Reach, and have begun a movement called “Just Do Something” to encourage other faith-based leaders to host organ donation campaigns.
About the Author
Rev. Jonathan Trees, lead pastor of Nashville Grace Church of the Nazarene, is a living kidney donor and a passionate advocate for organ transplantation. Inspired by his own donation journey and a church-led living donor campaign that resulted in three life-saving transplants in just six months, Jonathan is dedicated to raising awareness about organ donation. Through writing, speaking, and partnering with donor organizations, he works to educate faith communities on the importance of giving the gift of life. With a heart for helping others, Jonathan encourages action to make a lasting impact through organ donation.