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Kimberly Smith says she believes God has called her to live at least 86 years. Jason Evans says God called him to help Smith reach that goal.

Even though the two Victory Christian Center members had never before met, Evans did his part by donating a kidney to her

Evans, of Hubbard, said that when he heard their church's senior pastor, the Rev. David Thomas, announce that Smith was in dire straits and needed a kidney, he knew instantly he was supposed to give her one of his.

''He was asking if anyone could help out in any way, and as soon as he said that, I just thought I was able to do it,'' Evans said. ''I just knew I was the one to help out.''

The surgery was completed Nov. 17 at the Cleveland Clinic.

Evans was home just a few days later, and Smith, who remains hospitalized in Cleveland, said she hopes to be released sometime next week.

Being in the hospital over the holidays is not as bad as it may sound because of how dire her condition was, Smith said. She was No. 1 on the transplant list in Cleveland and Pittsburgh, not the kind of list she wanted to be at the top of.

''It's going to be very different, even though I'm in the hospital,'' Smith said of spending Thanksgiving Day in the hospital. ''I have a lot to look forward to.''

Smith, 54, from Campbell, said she had no doubt God would come through and meet her need.

''I always knew God was going to do something,'' Smith said. ''I just didn't know how, and I didn't know when.''

It was during a service in the second week of August that Thomas made the Coitsville church aware of how serious Smith's condition was. Smith, who has belonged to the church for 30 years and also works in ministry, had been battling kidney problems for more than seven years, but the dialysis treatments she was undergoing were no longer working when she told the church leadership about her condition.

''We knew I had run out of options, so Pastor said he would appeal to the church,'' Smith said.

When Thomas began describing Smith's condition and said she needed someone with O+ blood, Evans was thinking, with no hesitation that he could be a donor.

The next day Evans contacted the church and asked how he could donate one of his kidneys.

He waited almost a month before telling Smith because, he said, he wanted to make sure he was a match. A batter of tests determined he was.

Evans' wife, Heidi, said she supported her husband's decision. She was working in the church's nursery and did not hear the appeal to help Smith.

''When we got in the car I knew immediately something was up,'' Heidi Evans said. ''He told me, 'pray to prepare for what I have to tell you.' ''

And when the two finally met, Smith expressed her gratitude.

''It was wonderful. I was hugging him and thanking him,'' Smith said. ''I was just overwhelmed.''

Evans said he knew it was God who was telling him to give the kidney to Smith and he explained it that way to his wife.

''I had faith in Him and that the Lord was in control,'' he said.

Smith, who has no children of her own, has helped 28 foster children and adopted five, including a pair of 9-year-old twins, two 10-year-olds and another child. She was not surprised that someone stepped forward to help, but she said she did not know Evans, even though the two attended the same church.

''I did not know him at all, and he did not know me,'' Smith said.

Evans and Smith praised their doctors. Evans explained that they had separate surgical teams. Dr. Charles Modlin was Smith's surgeon, while Dr. Jihad Kaouk was Evans'.

Smith and Evans said doctors predicted no complications from their surgeries. Evans said he was told to rest until the end of the year, not easy during the holidays as he and Heidi have three daughters, ages 5, 2 and 1.

A friend of Smith's came from Arizona to help her care for her children.

Smith and Evans said they hope the process spurs more people to become organ donors. Smith said she thinks God is using her case to get that issue into the spotlight.

''I think God is going to do something very big with this,'' Smith said.

Evans said what he did wasn't hard or a sacrifice. He said it was being obedient to God.

''I guess it was a sacrifice, but it never really felt like one,'' Evans said. ''The blessing outweighs the sacrifice.''

Smith says she knew things would work out. After all, she said, she has many years left, Lord willing.

''I always told people I would live to be 86,'' Smith said. ''I wasn't trying to tell Him (God) how. He's the boss, not me. I always knew he would come through.''

jgorman@tribtoday.com