Pastor’s generous kidney donation saves two lives after Christmas miracle discovery

“We all need more light today. We need more positivity. We need Family and faith“And hope and strength – that’s what these stories are about.”

These are the words of Squire Rushnell and Louise Duart, co-founders of Brands “Godwinks”. Massachusetts resident, who shared the following story with Fox News Digital.

The couple believes that God works in mysterious ways.

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“Godwink is the new word in the language,” Rushnell told Fox News Digital. “It’s an event that seems like a coincidence – but you know it comes from a divine origin.”

Read on to find out what it means.

A melody brought them together

The favorite song took center stage for two men and their wives – saving lives and a true blessing to celebrate at this time of year and always.

Just a few years ago, Pastor Tim Jones began leading his new church in Kannapolis, North Carolina. On a cold Saturday morning a few weeks before the holiday, he held an open house to get acquainted.

He set up a “Meet the Pastor” table near the front door while speakers played his favorite song, “Sow Mercy,” by the Indiana-based Gaither Vocal Band.

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The catchy tune caught the ear of a stranger who was sitting in his car while he was waiting for his wife. “Sow Mercy” was Don Herbert’s favorite song as well. Drawn to the familiar tune, he got out of his car and headed to the pastor’s table.

The men struck up a conversation, and instantly bonded over a mutual love of gospel music. Their conversation was short, simple and sweet.

When they said their goodbyes, they were unaware that this divine connection was just the beginning of a series of unfolding deities.

Jones and Herbert met at a church event in North Carolina, where they bonded over gospel singing. (Tim Jones/Don Herbert)

Two weeks later, Herbert received devastating news from his doctors at Duke University Hospital.

Without a kidney transplant, he will die very soon. His family members and close friends were quickly tested, but every one of them failed to qualify.

Herbert’s wife, Belinda, poured her heart out on Facebook, begging for a donor to save her husband’s life.

Pastor Jones happened to be at his computer when the post mysteriously appeared.

The probability of him being a donor was very low.

He didn’t recognize the name right away, but he still felt motivated to step forward in faith and kindness. He made a call and was immediately scheduled for testing, even though the nurse on the phone told him the likelihood of him being a donor was very low.

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The first Godwink was instant: his blood was a perfect match. By then, the two men had begun to put together a plan and met with their wives about it.

The men underwent weeks of intense medical evaluations, unsure of what would happen.

Finally, the transplant team delivered the news.

Pictured here are the “Godwinks” team of SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt. This couple has brought stories of God’s divine works to millions of Americans for many years, including the story of a kidney transplant. (Photo by Jill Daman)

Jones was a perfect “one in 20,000” match for Herbert.

The pastor was donating his kidney to a man who came into his life because of a song written for Gaithers by Reba Rambo and Dony McGuire.

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By the day of surgery, the two men, along with their wives Sheri and Belinda, had become close friends. Doctors told them Jones’ procedure would likely take two hours. Herbert’s transplant surgery will then follow.

It seemed simple enough.

God’s plan was different

The couple anxiously waited for the first surgery to begin.

Two hours turned into five, then turned into seven. The wives prayed as they walked and worried.

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When the doctors were finally ready to move Herbert into transplant surgery, they stopped long enough to explain to the wives what was happening. While the priest was being operated on, doctors discovered something hidden behind his kidney.

The dangerous aneurysm in the renal artery was like a time bomb, ready to rupture at any moment. If it had exploded — during or after surgery — the likely outcome would have been fatal.

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But because Jones responded to the heartfelt plea on social media from Herbert’s wife — and felt an inexplicable urge to extend kindness to a man he didn’t know — God led surgeons to the aneurysm that was on the verge of threatening the pastor’s life.

Jones and Herbert are shown above. During the pastor’s surgery, doctors discovered a dangerous aneurysm that was about to rupture. (Tim Jones/Don Herbert)

The doctor summed up the magnitude of the moment with quiet awe: “Tim, you saved Don’s life — but in the process, you saved your own.”

That year, when Christmas came, the men had recovered and remained amazed at the unusual gods in their lives, starting with a favorite song.

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However, they discovered there was one final Godwink hidden in the lyrics of Rambo-Maguire’s “Sow Mercy”: “If you’ve ever reached out to help a friend, the helping hand may lift you up again. Cultivate compassion.”

When people extend kindness to another person in need, God’s abundant grace will bless them with winks they never expected.

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This story was published in SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt’s best-selling book “The Godwink Effect” and is used with permission. The pair’s latest book is “Godwinks for mothers – true stories.”