On Easter Sunday, Wayne Delso, pastor of Dwell Church, delivered his first sermon in the church’s new location at Berthoud High School. The service marked a significant milestone for the church, which officially began meeting at the high school a few weeks earlier.
Delso explained that Easter was an ideal time to start, given its importance in the Christian faith. “It’s the Sunday we celebrate that Jesus is the king who rose from the grave, a resurrection that changes everything for everyone,” he said.
Dwell Church, an affiliate of the First Baptist Church, initially hosted a small turnout of around 40 to 50 people for the April 20 service. However, Delso is hopeful that attendance will grow as more people learn about the church. He believes the school setting offers a welcoming atmosphere for those who might not typically feel comfortable in a traditional church environment.
“The school provides a neutral space where people might feel more open to attending a worship service,” Delso said.
Services, which are held at 11 a.m. every Sunday, last about an hour and include contemporary worship music led by worship pastor Cade Elkins, along with a sermon from the Bible. Delso’s preaching focuses on the Gospel of Matthew and will continue throughout the summer, exploring the theme of Jesus as king.
“He’s a king unlike any other king we can think of—he’s a king for the outcast, a king for the downtrodden, a king for the foreigner and a king for the sinner,” Delso explained. “He offers grace to all these groups.”
Delso also emphasized his approach to preaching, which involves focusing on one book of the Bible at a time, rather than following a set order. This method is intended to ensure that the teachings are guided by the scriptures themselves, rather than any predetermined agenda.
“You are allowing the author of scripture to guide what you’re teaching,” Delso said.
Before moving to the high school, Dwell Church had met in the Delso family’s Berthoud home, where they held a small group Bible study every Thursday. This “community group,” which continues to meet, has around 25 to 30 attendees each week. The group is an opportunity for fellowship, discussion, and a short Bible study, and includes childcare to make it accessible for families.
“We spend time together and have a short Bible study,” Delso said.
In addition to the regular Sunday services, Dwell Church hosts fellowship time at nearby Pioneer Park, where attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunches. During the colder months, Delso hopes to continue the fellowship indoors.
“We value community, and there’s something special about sharing a meal with someone,” Delso said. “We want to provide a space for people to spend time together.”
Looking ahead, Delso is committed to expanding the church’s reach, both through growing the Sunday service and by developing additional Bible study groups in local homes. He also hopes to establish new churches wherever opportunities arise.
“For now, we’ll probably stay in the high school,” Delso said. “If a more permanent space in Berthoud becomes available that fits our needs, we’re open to that, but we’re not there yet.”
Dwell Church is also involved in a variety of outreach activities to serve the local community. Upcoming events include park parties in May and July, a sports camp in June, and a soccer camp in July. The church recently organized a cookie donation event, delivering 50 dozen cookies to businesses on Mountain Avenue as part of its efforts to give back to Berthoud.
“We’ve been trying to show the community that we’re for Berthoud,” Delso said. “We want to continue serving the city in any way we can.”
Delso expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to use the high school as a meeting space.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the school district and Berthoud High School for allowing us to use their space,” he said.
