A Miracle in Our Midst: Celebrating Pastor John Water’s Successful Liver Transplant

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, RMV NE CO Newsroom, Rocky Mountain Voice

Every now and then, a moment arrives that stops us in our tracks and reminds us of the sheer goodness and mercy woven into the fabric of life. This is one of those moments.

Just two days ago, our Lead Pastor at Elevating Life Church in Fort Morgan, CO, Pastor John Waters, received a donor liver and came through surgery with flying colors. Today, as I write this, he is recovering beautifully — awake, talking, smiling, and already cracking jokes. In classic John fashion, he’s showing us what unwavering faith looks like in real time.

As Senior Pastor at Elevating Life Church, I’ve had the honor of walking closely with John throughout this journey — through the uncertainty, the long wait, and the quiet strength he never once abandoned. As a writer with Rocky Mountain Voice, I’ve also witnessed how his story reached far beyond our church walls, inspiring people across Colorado and our nation who have been praying, giving, and standing with us.

This victory belongs to all of us, rooted in God’s love, personified by Jesus, the Son of God, and united through the actions of the Holy Spirit, making it as real as it gets! 

Faith Under Fire — and Faith Victorious

John’s journey to a transplant has been a lengthy one. There were days when John and I were in the Medio Logic studio discussing how the waiting list felt like an unstoppable mountain. There were weeks when the medical updates challenged our patience and peace.

But John never once lost hope. Never once did he lose sight of God’s goodness. He walked this valley with humility, courage, and a deep trust that spoke louder than any diagnosis. And now, we celebrate the fruit of that faith.

A Community That Refused to Let Go

I want to emphasize this: the people of Elevating Life Church, the community across Northeastern Colorado, and the readers of Rocky Mountain Voice here, there, and everywhere played a crucial role in making this moment possible.

Your prayers, your donations, your meals, your texts, your encouragement — they formed a lifeline that lifted John and his family when they needed it most. This is what true community looks like. This is what it means to bear one another’s burdens.

And this is why today feels like victory — not just for John, but for all of us who love him.

The Grace of a Donor Family

We also express our deepest gratitude to the family who chose to give life in the midst of their own loss. Their courage and generosity made this entire miracle possible. Please continue to pray for them. Their grief is sacred, and so is their gift.

Where We Go From Here

John now begins the long but hopeful journey of recovery. He is strong, and his vitals are excellent. His spirit is high, and his wife and family are by his side. Our church family, with your continued support, is ready to stand with him every step of the way, including helping with the financial burdens that come with such an experience. 

A “Thankful Dinner” hosted by Elevating Life Church will be held on Saturday, November 22nd, at the Morgan County Fairgrounds, Mark Arndt Event Center. A live auction will follow. For tickets or more details on the gathering, call Pastor Matt Wulf at 970-380-2583 or CLICK HERE to give under “John Water’s Wellness Fund.”

He has a journey ahead — but he is not walking it alone.

A Pastoral Reflection

In moments like these, I am reminded why we do what we do: To love one another deeply. To carry each other through the valleys. To celebrate every victory — big and small — as evidence of God’s relentless goodness. 

For our church, this is a moment of gratitude. For our RMV community, this is a moment of unity. For all of us, this is a moment to give thanks.

Pastor John Waters is with us. He is healing. And he is living proof that miracles still happen.

Today,  join me in praising God, celebrating John, and giving thanks for the community who held the line with us. Let’s continue to pray for John’s complete recovery and support him in any way we can.

With gratitude and joy,

Drake

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.