August 13, 2026

Posted by Brian Daoust on August 14, 2026

Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.
I John 3:2
The whole world seemed to need and take a deep breath of fresh air recently with the World Cup, with the US playing host to many of the matches. As the world was welcomed, visitors from around the globe explored our culture, hospitality, and quirkiness. Stories of surprise, wonder, and delight poured onto social media. We took joy and delight in stories of folks making friends, overindulging in bottomless appetizers, and discovering our best regional culinary delights.
Perhaps the best stories were accounts of inspiring acts of kindness and unlikely friendships. It seems like every time I turned on the news or scrolled my feeds, there were new accounts of folks from abroad with praise for our nation and its people. As one commentator remarked, “I just want to be as good as these people think we are.” I thought of the reminder in scripture that we are God’s children and we will become more than we are. What we can become is more like Christ, offering even greater care and compassion.
The joy we all shared in this season was a preview of the kingdom Jesus proclaims, a world where we welcome strangers, offer the best of what we have and who we are, and surprise not only the stranger, but ourselves. A heavenly banquet of endless Chili’s chips and salsa, platters of biscuits and gravy, and the all-night welcome of Waffle House is wonderful to imagine. But we should delight even more in knowing surprising hospitality awaits us, and we are called to lavish it now. May we practice the spiritual discipline of welcome every day, wanting to be as good as these people seem to think we are.
Prayer
Lord, make me the sort of surprising host that people tell stories of our friendship and welcome. Amen.

Rev. Brian Daoust

Associate Pastor for Mission & Youth

About the Author

Brian Daoust

Brian Daoust has served as an ordained Presbyterian pastor since 2009 in ministry to youth, young adults, and families through mission and service.  He graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill where he was active in Presbyterian Campus Ministry, camp ministry, and the Red Cross.  He earned his Masters of Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA in 2009. 

Brian has served churches and ministries in Virginia, Colorado, Georgia, and North Carolina, at various Presbyterian camp and conference centers, in interfaith and inter-denominational community groups, and as a fire chaplain.  He’s led mission and disaster response teams domestically and internationally for over 20 years, served as liaison to immigrant new worshipping communities, and has been keynote and guest speaker for denominational retreats, community events, and advocate for marginalized groups. He has a passion for teaching, preaching, and collaborative service to people and communities in need.

Brian has helped his churches to develop live-streaming of worship and special events, as well as strong social media presence and hospitality.  He has been called to serve a dual role at Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church in Mission and Youth.  In his free time, he enjoys cooking, studying languages, photography, guitar, movies, 3D printing, and hiking and camping with his wife and their three sons.  

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