Nothing Too Small or Too Great

Hi, my name is John Brinlee and I love the Lord!

I recently had 54 percent of my liver removed and donated to someone else. You might ask, “Why would someone willingly give away 54% of their life? The answer is God.

I'm known as Pastor John Brinlee at Calvary Pentecostal Church of God in McAlester, OK. I'm also known as just John Brinlee Jr. at Graham Packaging in Muskogee, Ok, where I work as a compressor mechanic and have been an employee for about 14 years. This is where I met my friend, Dana Pack, who also has been an employee for about 14 years. I knew there was something wrong with Dana’s health, but I didn't know how serious her sickness was until recently.

Meanwhile, God was beginning a work in my life. It began with a realization that there was more to life than what I had been living. My life started to change dramatically when I stood up to testify one night at a little Pentecostal Church of God church in Porum, OK and said, “Hi. My name is John Brinlee and I love the Lord!” I died that day and was born again, and every day since then I have been on a journey to know my Savior personally.

One of my co-workers and I became very close. I talked to him about Jesus, what he was doing in my life and so on. Terry became very curious, so I got him a Bible. He got saved and gave his life to the Lord. He and his wife started going to church and you could see there was a change in his life.

Then Terry was diagnosed with cancer. It was a battle, but he never lost his faith in Christ. He attended the little church in Porum, OK and sang. I preached there one night, about Paul being in the storm of his life and that he didn't give up and quit. Terry didn't either. Although he lost the battle with cancer, Terry went home to be with the Lord, which I'm so thankful for.

Dana Pack was Terry's replacement at work. Being in love with Jesus, and knowing the price He paid for my salvation, as well as others, I had to share the Good News with her. Dana and I talked about the Lord and what He had been doing in my life and what He wanted to do in her life as well. She recommitted her life to the Lord; it was then she began sharing about the tumors that were on her liver, and the possibility that she could die if her liver were to burst before she could get a new one. The problem was, there were so many ahead of her on the list for a cadaver liver, the probability of her getting one was not good. It also meant that someone would have to die so she could live. 

Dana became very sick and was unable to come to work for over a month. Her family members were rejected as live donors for various reasons, and so had become desperate for an answer for Dana. I had been telling Dana that I was the one, that I would go and be tested. believing God was calling me to do this for His Glory. I had prayed that God would heal her, but God was asking me to not only talk about my faith but to walk out my faith.

When it was time for me to go to Baylor Hospital in Dallas, TX I knew it was God and that I was the one. I had no idea that I would be the first live liver donor in over a decade and that the program had been shut down in the late ’90s. (You still may be wondering why anyone would be a live liver donor!) I didn't know what the surgery would consist of, but I did know that the Holy Spirit was leading me and whatever happened I was determined to trust my Lord.

When I arrived at Baylor they had to do extensive testing; they were determined not to have any mistakes. I would have to meet all their criteria for a live liver donor. They checked the size and leanness of my liver; since I'm not a small man, they were concerned that it might be fatty. The doctors also checked my blood type and, most importantly, they wanted to confirm that I wasn't crazy. After all, who does this for a co-worker? But I was doing it for my sister in

Christ and would like to believe I would have been willing to do it for anyone the Lord asked me to help.

The results came back that my blood type was compatible, that my liver was surprisingly lean, and that I wasn't crazy. The best news of all was that I had an oversized liver! I had more than enough for Dana as well as for myself. I was convinced more than ever that God was in control and that this was for His Glory not mine.

The surgery was considered a huge success by everyone's expectations. God did so many miracles through the entire process and I know God will continue to be glorified. Dana is alive and doing well; we look forward to her return to work soon. I was released 3 months after the surgery to return to work. My health is returning as the doctors assured me it would.

I know what the Word means when it tells Jesus’ followers to lay down their life, pick up their cross and follow Him. I don't have all the answers, but I know the One who does, and I put my faith in trust in Him. As time goes by, and the story is forgotten, I will remember that a life was saved every time I see my 12-inch scar. It will remind me of the scars my Lord has on His hands, feet and side where He was pierced for my transgressions, for which I am eternally grateful. Christ died so I could live, and I believe I had to die to self so Dana could live. I boast only in the Lord because this miracle was only possible in Christ.

My challenge to my brothers and sisters in Christ is to be willing to give what God has equipped you with to GIVE! There is nothing too small or too great.