Issue: Summer 2013 | Posted: June 4, 2013

Old School

A Friend in Need

Carroll Griffin (left) and Larry Teague (right).

Carroll Griffin ('71) and Larry Teague have been friends for years. Their families have vacationed together regularly. Their wives and children are close.

So when Teague discovered he needed a kidney transplant, Griffin volunteered. What are friends for, right? Except for Griffin, the friendship wasn't the determining factor.

"Even though we had a strong friendship, I don't think I would ever give a body part to a friend just because it would be a nice thing to do," Griffin said. "I'm not that nice... This is not about Larry and me. This is about being obedient to God."

Griffin is a longtime Union employee who now serves as director of marketing and enrollment for Union's continuing studies department. Teague is the father of four Union University graduates— Aimee, Carrie, Jonathan and Benjamin —and lives in Franklin, Tenn., where he and his wife Chris are members of Brentwood Baptist Church.

Teague's physical problems have been persistent for a while. He has type 1 diabetes and has had high blood pressure for years. His kidney doctor told him he was losing the function of his kidneys, but they tried correcting that with diet and medication.

But then Teague had a stroke last year, followed by a heart attack a few months later, worsening the condition of his kidneys and increasing the urgency for a transplant. One day, Griffin overheard his wife Kay talking to Teague's wife Chris about his need for a transplant. The next morning during his quiet time, Griffin read a passage about being obedient to the Lord.

"I want to be obedient, Lord," Griffin prayed. "I want to do whatever you want me to do."

Griffin became increasingly aware that what God wanted was for him to offer his kidney to his friend.

"It's just Carroll's nature to do for others," Kay said. "He felt like God called him to do it, and he did it."

At first, Griffin was doubtful that he would be a match. But after all the tests were administered, his status as a match was confirmed.

The surgery took place in March and went smoothly. Griffin is back at work, and Teague is recovering as well. Though Teague will have to take immunosuppressant drugs for the rest of his life, he says the new kidney has improved his condition dramatically— both physically and emotionally.

"Carroll's a great person, and he's a very dedicated Christian," Teague said. "He's very obedient, and I'm just the beneficiary of that."