You may have heard the saying, “God doesn’t call the equipped— he equips the called.”
What does this mean?
It means that no matter how equipped someone might feel, God calls his people, ordinary as they may be, to faithfully serve and lead in extraordinary ways– just as He did with Paul*, an IFI volunteer who found his purpose working with international students.
It was his senior year of high school when he first heard of IFI, the season of figuring out what’s next in life. Maybe I’ll pursue my childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian or take a chance at film production, Paul thought. He was excited and filled with ambition, only to be disappointed when no internships or jobs lined up.
That’s when he received an unexpected invitation— one that would change his life forever.
The ask was simple: “Why don’t you come with me to a Bible discussion for international students at my church?”
Being with international students was unfamiliar to Paul; he was hesitant and afraid, wondering what the night would consist of. But since he had nothing better to do, he took a leap of faith and decided to attend.
Arriving, he sat next to an international student from Asia and soon realized that there was a language barrier. Looks like Google Translate will have to do, he thought.
“I was so fearful,” Paul remembered. “But it turned out better than expected, and as the night went on, I got to experience the God of all nations through discussing the Bible and singing in different languages.”
Something in Paul was awakened. Deep down inside, he knew he was part of something bigger. God gently reminded him that he was enough despite his inadequacies.
“Next thing I knew, I was interning with IFI two weeks later!” Paul said. “I didn’t know what I was doing, but God provided and softened my heart to international student experiences, showing me that I was created to work and be around them.”
Paul did the internship for four months, spending time with international students from all over the world. He hosted bonfires and hotpot dinners, took students on Spring Break trips such as Washington, DC, and led Bible discussion groups. With every meal shared and conversation had, Paul’s fears faded, and his heart for internationals grew.
“I just learned from others along the way and looked to Jesus, modeling his approach of connecting over meals and being a light wherever you go. The more hospitality I showed, the more students opened up and felt at home.”
The four months of interning soon came to an end, but that didn’t stop Paul from continuing his calling toward internationals. To this day, he still serves in international spaces and has even visited a couple of old students in their home countries, such as his Washington, DC, trip roommate from Japan.
“It had been 11 years since I saw him in person, but that didn’t stop him from showing me hospitality,” Paul said. “He took me all over the place, even to his church in Tokyo! We got to have deep spiritual conversations, and I could see how much he’d grown over the years.”
What started as awkward interactions and broken conversations has now become formative experiences and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Above all, Paul has a better understanding of loving our neighbors as ourselves and Biblical hospitality. It isn’t about entertaining others, but about stepping outside your comfort zone, welcoming every “nation, tribe, people, and language” (Revelation 7:9), and truly listening. He knows that even the simplest of gestures can impact someone’s life.
“I remember a student once telling me, ‘You’re the first American who has asked me about my day and my family,’” Paul recalled. “Just the simple act of eating together and taking an interest in them goes a long way.”
Reflecting on his journey, Paul sees how being brave, despite his fears and feelings of inadequacy, allowed him to be an example of love. His story echoes the saying’s truth: when we trust in God and obey his call, he is faithful to step into our weaknesses and use them for his glory.