Holy Spirit-guided curiosity can lead to unexpected opportunities and Kingdom-building outcomes.
That was a key theme of “Empowered for the Mission,” Miriam Swanson’s message during the Nov. 10 morning session of the 2026 annual meeting of the Baptist General Association of Virginia.
Speaking on the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26–39, Swanson challenged those listening to consider the value of ordinary acts done in obedience to the Spirit and in service to Christ.
‘God nudges’
“I adore this story in Acts because even though there’s some really extraordinary bits to it, it feels incredibly doable to think about walking down the road and responding to what I like to call ‘God nudges.’ If the Holy Spirit lives and dwells in us, is with us and works through us, it’s kind of like our holy housemate,” she said. “If we just stay attentive to the fact that God lives in us, the chances are our housemate is speaking to us.”
Attentiveness to the Spirit matters because God’s mission is not confined to the places where believers feel most comfortable, Swanson said.
“It’s really difficult to spot God if you’re not looking for Him, particularly in the places you already don’t expect it,” she emphasized.
Philip is directed to go down a road, where he meets a foreigner who would not have been welcomed into the Jewish community before now.
“Philip discovers God is pursuing this person … chasing after this eunuch. And Philip is the hands and feet of Jesus,” Swanson said. “If we’re awake and looking for God’s invitation to join in with what He’s already doing, then we will stumble into more and more of these stories and be less caught off guard and more ready to just say yes to what the Spirit of God is doing.”
Reaching ‘most vulnerable’
Swanson, national director of Fusion USA, a missional and discipleship effort focused on reaching young adults and university students, shared the story of Anna, a British college student who recognized that the women’s restrooms in a nightclub were where young female students were most vulnerable during a night out. She and friends began offering practical care in that spot: offering comfort, helping those who were sick, and making sure students got safely into taxis or back to their dorms.
“The girls just did what they felt was needed most,” Swanson said. “If you’d have looked from a distance, that’s the least likely place you’d have seen the church — in the middle of drunk students in a toilet. But that’s exactly where these student disciples recognized the presence of God would want to be.”
Anna’s receptiveness to the Spirit’s leading was the start of university nightclub missions in several college towns, Swanson said, adding that the story highlights an important lesson for older believers discipling new or young Christians.
“Don’t start in a weird teacher-pupil dynamic where you think you have to give the answers,” she said. “Young people actually don’t want that. They don’t want to be told what to do. They want to go with you.”
“They don’t want you to sit on a chair, declaring what’s right as they sit at your feet. They want to share a table with you as equals — find out your story and hope that you would desperately want to know theirs.”
Listen first
Practice listening, even if it feels foolish, Swanson urged — the Spirit will lead if we listen.
“God is moving in the world, in the humanity around us that God has made to be known and loved by Him,” she said. “I encourage you — don’t write off that God still speaks today.”
Tuesday morning’s main session included a Kingdom Moment from BGAV executive director Wayne Faison, who urged listeners to rediscover the source of their strength to be faithful to the mission of Christ.
“The mission of Jesus was never intended to be accomplished through human determination alone,” Faison said. “The Spirit empowers us to participate in what God is doing.”
The session opened with music from a marching jazz band and worship music led by Taylor Vancil, Grant Frederick, and Alan Miller. Leslie Caldwell led in prayer.
