Volunteer Testimony
I grew up in a pastor’s home, where I was constantly reminded of the calling that every believer shares: to go everywhere and proclaim the gospel. The Great Commission. While I deeply believed in that calling, I often wondered how I could ever be a part of it. I have always been shy and introverted. The thought of standing in front of a crowd to preach was intimidating, and I struggled to imagine myself serving God in the way I believed was expected. I often asked myself, How can I fulfill this mission? How can I be a blessing to others if I don’t have the personality to preach publicly?
Reading through Exodus, I came across the story of Moses. He was a shepherd, a fugitive, and by his own admission, a simple and ordinary man. When God called him from the burning bush to lead his people out of Egypt, Moses immediately began to focus on his limitations. He questioned his own ability, pointed to his weaknesses, and even reminded God that he was not an eloquent speaker.
What has always stood out to me is that God did not respond by removing Moses’ insecurities or instantly changing his abilities. Instead, He asked a simple question: “What is that in your hand?” Moses’ answer was simple: a staff. It was nothing more than the ordinary tool he used each day as a shepherd. Yet in God’s hands, that ordinary staff became an instrument through which extraordinary miracles were accomplished. It was used to open the waters of the Red Sea. It struck a rock and brought forth water in the wilderness. The staff itself possessed no power; its significance came entirely from the God who chose to use it.
Through this passage, God taught me a lesson that has shaped the way I understand His calling. God does not begin by asking what we lack or what we wish we had. Instead, He asks us to offer what He has already placed in our hands. When our ordinary gifts are surrendered to Him, He can use them in extraordinary ways.
For me, that “staff” has always been a camera. From a young age, I have loved photography and storytelling through images and video. For a long time, I viewed those interests simply as hobbies. Over time, however, I began to recognize that they were gifts God had entrusted to me. I realized that while I may never be called to preach from a pulpit, I can still proclaim the gospel through visual storytelling. A photograph can communicate hope. A video can encourage faith. A story can point people to Christ in ways words alone sometimes cannot.
Today, I find myself serving far from home. I decided to come to Lebanon as a volunteer to serve with the talents that God gave me as the videographer for Middle East University. It is a blessing to use the gifts He has given me in a place and culture so different from my own, while witnessing how He continues to open doors for ministry through creative work.
Whether through photography, videography, or simply being present with those around me, my desire is to serve Him faithfully. As the university’s photographer, I have the opportunity to interact with students from many different backgrounds, building meaningful relationships and sharing conversations that often go far beyond the camera. Even though I am still young, God has allowed me to encourage others by sharing the lessons and experiences He has taught me along the way.
What has made this experience especially meaningful is the community I have found here. Middle East University has become much more than a place where I serve, it has become a place where I feel at home. It has also been a joy to see students discover a passion for photography through the projects and photo sessions we have shared together. Watching them grow in confidence and creativity reminds me that God can use even the simplest interests to inspire and encourage others.
I believe this is a reminder for all of us. Each person has been entrusted with unique gifts, talents, and opportunities. Some are called to teach, others to sing, to cook, to encourage, to listen, to build, or to care for those around them. No gift is insignificant when it is placed in God’s hands. He delights in using ordinary people and ordinary abilities to accomplish His extraordinary purposes.
God continues to ask each of us the same question He asked Moses: “What is that in your hand?”. He is not asking us what we still need before we can serve Him. He is not waiting until we become more capable or more confident. He simply invites us to surrender what we already have.
Understanding this truth transformed my perspective on ministry. I no longer believe that serving God requires fitting a particular role or personality. Instead, I have learned that faithfulness begins by offering Him the gifts He has already entrusted to us and allowing Him to use them for His glory. In doing so, we become part of His mission, trusting that He can accomplish far more through our surrendered lives than we could ever accomplish on our own.
Javier Guichard
Videographer
