Woodside Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado, is known for KJV-centered worship, English, Spanish and Lisu ministries, a family-friendly gathering place, and service to neighbors. Founded in 1988 at 8500 East Alameda Avenue, the independent Baptist congregation has grown from 13 adults into a multigenerational church family with a practical emphasis on biblical teaching, worship, family formation and neighborhood care.
A First Sunday at 8500 East Alameda Avenue
Sunday morning worship begins at 9:30 a.m. in the main auditorium. The service centers on Christ-honoring music, prayer and practical, verse-by-verse preaching from the King James Version. Congregational singing and sacred music shape the gathering. At about 11:00 a.m., after coffee and fellowship, adult and family classes begin with the Answers in Genesis curriculum. Sunday evening worship begins at 6:00 p.m. and has a relaxed atmosphere with worship, Bible teaching, congregational singing, fellowship and personal testimonies. Wednesday gatherings begin at 7:00 p.m. with the Adult Bible Institute, church-wide prayer, and specialized children's and youth ministries.
Friendly greeters welcome people at the entrance and direct them to the auditorium, classrooms, nursery or restrooms. Clothing varies from traditional Sunday dress to business casual and relaxed styles. The church encourages modest, respectful clothing, with business attire or business casual common on Sunday mornings, more casual clothing on Sunday and Wednesday evenings, and comfortable attire for children and teens.
Dedicated guest parking is near the main building, and visitors enter the property through the southeast entrance. Guests are asked to remain within Woodside's designated spaces because parking in the adjacent condominium lot may result in towing. The church office answers at 303-322-5730.
From 13 Adults to a Permanent Denver Home
Woodside was planted in 1988 by Dr. Craig M. Scott and a core group of 13 adults with a shared desire to serve the Lord, reach others for Christ, and nurture the next generation. New families gathered around that vision, and the church grew into an intergenerational body committed to knowing Christ, strengthening homes, equipping young people, and serving others. Craig Scott remains its founding pastor, while Jonathan Scott, who was part of the church from its beginning, has become lead pastor.
When the present facility became available, the church repaired the building and grounds fully. The original indoor swimming pool was filled in to form Woodside's first auditorium. An outdoor pond was also filled and shaped into a park area now used for church picnics, barbecues, volleyball, and soccer. The restored property serves both worship and community life.
A Nursery, Bible Classes, and AWANA for Young Families
Nursery care is available during every church service for infants and young children. The nursery is described as safe, clean, welcoming, and staffed by experienced caregivers who give children space for play, rest, and naps while parents take part in worship and teaching.
Age-graded Sunday School classes serve children from age four through sixth grade. The same Answers in Genesis study used with adults helps families continue conversations at home. Junior Church, for four-year-olds through second grade, runs during the 9:30 morning worship service with age-appropriate Bible teaching, music, and interactive activities. AWANA welcomes children from two years old through sixth grade on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m., using Scripture memory, gospel truths, Bible lessons, handbook time, games, and team activities. Woodside's history also includes Woodside Baptist School, founded in 1990 to support homeschooling families through social connection, organized activities, and practical life leadership.
Woodside's youth ministry serves seventh graders through senior high school and emphasizes Christian friendship, service, Bible teaching, and outreach. Sunday School begins at 11:15 a.m. after the morning service in the Fellowship Room with verse-by-verse study. The Wednesday gathering runs from 7:00 to 8:45 p.m. and includes prayer and testimonies, team games or outdoor activities, and a practical lesson for everyday life. Participants are asked to bring a physical KJV Bible, running shoes, a notebook, and a pen.
Teenagers also take part in Scripture memory through Bible Quizzing on Sundays at 4:30 p.m., serve with the food bank, and join camp trips including Treasure Mountain Bible Camp. A physical KJV Bible is provided when a participant does not have one.
English, Spanish, and Lisu Gatherings
The Hispanic Ministry is led by Keith Huhta and offers worship and teaching in Spanish on Sundays at 9:30 a.m., followed by Spanish Bible study and prayer on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. The ministry welcomes people seeking a church, learning more about the Bible, or meeting other believers. Children and youth have English classes during both Spanish gatherings.
The Lisu ministry is led by Pastor Ahdee Gwa, with weekly Lisu worship at 11:00 a.m. Sunday at Woodside and related prayer and Bible-study gatherings through Colorado Lisu Christian Church and Zoom. The Lisu work also supports evangelism among unbelievers in Mandalay and Yangon and among tribal people in Karen State in Myanmar.
Woodside presents its explanation of the gospel in English, Spanish, and Burmese. Its central message is that sin brings death, God's love provided Jesus Christ as the solution, eternal life is a gift of grace, and that gift is received by faith in Jesus Christ.
Deaf Ministry Makes Room for Everyone
Woodside's Deaf Ministry provides sign-language interpretation during both Sunday morning and evening worship so deaf and hard-of-hearing guests can participate fully in the service and message. Recorded messages on YouTube also carry closed captions for people who cannot attend in person.
Food for Body and Soul
Every other Tuesday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Woodside operates a drive-up food bank in partnership with the Food Bank of the Rockies. Guests can park in a church parking space, register with a volunteer, and receive a box of groceries delivered to the vehicle. Typical items include meat, dairy, fresh produce, canned and boxed food, bread, and desserts. Volunteers also offer a brief Bible study in English and Spanish, pairing practical care with spiritual conversation.
Adult Fellowship Across Generations
The Ladies' Ministry offers monthly prayer, coffee gatherings, missionary prayer meetings, fellowship luncheons, retreats, and service such as event decorating and meal preparation. The Men's Ministry emphasizes weekly prayer, practical service, and fellowship. Men gather at 7:00 a.m. Saturday for in-person and Zoom prayer, and a 30-minute pre-service prayer gathering precedes both Sunday services. The church also supports the Rocky Mountain Prayer Advance.
Woodside's Widows' Ministry creates fellowship through seasonal luncheons, birthday celebrations, outings, and other gatherings. Its emphasis is on shared laughter, care, encouragement, and making sure no one walks alone.
Psalms, Hymns, and Sacred Music
The music ministry is intentionally traditional and conservative, emphasizing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Skilled and developing musicians of all ages serve through congregational accompaniment, group pieces, and solos. The goal is Christ-centered lyrics, skillful music, and worship that encourages biblical reflection and spiritual growth rather than treating music as entertainment alone.
Pastoral Leadership Across Woodside's ministries
Lead Pastor Jonathan, or Jono, Scott has belonged to Woodside since its beginning and served full-time beginning in 2004. Before becoming lead pastor, he worked in children's, youth, and music ministry, led the church's school, and oversaw children and youth ministry. He earned a biblical studies bachelor's degree and a master's in religious education. His ministry emphasizes spiritual growth, Christ-centered families, and sharing the gospel.
Dr. Craig M. Scott has served in full-time ministry since 1969 and has pastored Woodside since its 1988 founding. He also founded the Rocky Mountain Men's Prayer Advance, hosts the Bread of Life Broadcast, serves in Bible Quizzing, and has led the church's longstanding school ministry.
Pastor Keith Huhta is devoted to teaching, discipleship, missions, and Hispanic ministry. He earned biblical degrees at Bob Jones University and spent more than 30 years in leadership at Instituto Práctico Ebenezer in Hermosillo, Sonora. He also planted churches in Hermosillo and Pesqueira before beginning Woodside's Hispanic Ministry in 2017.
Pastor Ahdee Gwa completed a diploma in Biblical and Theological Studies and serves as pastor of Colorado Lisu Christian Church. He also works as a case manager with Lutheran Family Services, helping coordinate social services for newcomers. His ministry combines pastoral care with practical community support.
Janae Scott serves in youth and family ministry alongside her husband, while Josh Baird serves as a youth leader. Together they help teenagers build Christian friendships, study the Bible, serve at church, and take part in outreach.
A Faith Held in Woodside's Own Words
Woodside describes itself as independent and completely autonomous, with local governance resting within the congregation under scriptural guidelines rather than under an external organization, denominational convention, or governing fellowship. Its constitutional beliefs center on eight declarations:
- The Bible is the verbally inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God, and Woodside exclusively preaches and teaches from the King James Version.
- There is one true God, eternally existent as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three co-equal persons.
- Jesus Christ is the Son of God, virgin born, sinless in life, died substitutionally for sin, physically rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will return in literal power and glory.
- Jesus Christ serves as the great High Priest and continually makes direct intercession for believers before the Father.
- All people are sinners by nature, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential to salvation.
- People are justified exclusively by faith in the shed blood of Christ, receiving salvation entirely by grace, independent of works.
- Every born-again person is expected to publicly declare personal faith through believer's baptism.
- The Holy Spirit convicts of sin, assures believers of heaven, and indwells them to enable a godly life.
Missionary Prayer Beyond the Building
Woodside supports mission partners in Cameroon, Colorado, France, India, Mexico, and Wisconsin. Its wider mission emphasis includes the Lisu-supported evangelism efforts in Mandalay, Yangon, and Karen State. Members are encouraged to pray for missionaries' communication and cultural learning, opportunities to witness and disciple, unity among fellow workers, preparation in the places they serve, health and safety, family well-being, and spiritual strength.
The Rocky Mountain Prayer Advance is another expression of this prayer-and-service emphasis. It gathers people around practical needs within the church family, service projects, fellowship, and times of focused prayer.
Radio, Recordings, and Staying Connected
Live services are broadcast Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. through the BoxCast livestream, which can be watched on the web or through the app on compatible smart TVs, Roku devices, and streaming media players. The YouTube sermon archive contains complete sermon series and Bible teaching studies.
The Bread of Life Broadcast airs Monday through Friday at 11:45 a.m. on 990 AM and on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. on 94.7 FM. Woodside also shares Scripture, ministry updates, event announcements, and church life through Facebook, Instagram, and X. Online giving is available through the church's giving service.
At 8500 East Alameda Avenue, Woodside Baptist Church continues the work begun by 13 adults: KJV worship, English, Spanish, and Lisu ministry, homes and classrooms for every age, practical care for neighbors, and a continuing mission centered on Christ and the Word of God.