About Us

Dave DeSelm

Dave was born and raised in the heart of America, Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was raised in a churched home, but didn’t begin a personal relationship with Jesus until he was in college.

After graduating from Ball State University in 1973 with a degree in Elementary Education, he began his career as a 6th grade school teacher. He also completed a Masters degree in Education from Indiana University.

As a young adult, he got involved in a local church where he deepened his faith and developed his skills of teaching and leadership. He also met a young woman named Gwen. They fell in love and were married in that church in 1977.

A few years into their marriage, the leadership of their church recognized gifting in him and invited him to join the staff. In 1979, Dave began his life as a pastor, serving as the Pastor for Discipleship and Evangelism at First Missionary Church in Fort Wayne, IN.

He also went back to school, earning a Masters degree in Christian Ministry from Huntington University.

In 1982, the church leadership felt the Lord calling them to plant a new church in an under-reached part of the city. Fifty pioneers, mostly young adults, committed to go, and they called Dave to be their pastor. 

Dave was blessed to serve as the founding Senior Pastor of Fellowship Missionary Church for 34 years. During that time Fellowship grew from a small, homogeneous group of 50 to a large, diverse family of 2300. He started as the only staff member and ended leading a staff of 25. He led through five building projects, all with the commitment to incurring no debt. And he led our congregation through challenging paradigm shifts: in worship, diversity, mission, and discipleship. 

In 2017, Dave handed off the baton of leadership at Fellowship in a planned succession, and was given the title of Pastor Emeritus in 2026.

In 2018, God gave us the vision for Dave DeSelm Ministries. Dave and Gwen left their staff roles at Fellowship to start a new adventure - taking the things they had learned and passing them on, resourcing everyday pastors to equip everyday people to become every day disciples.

In his spare time, Dave loved bass fishing, reading, following the St. Louis Cardinals and spending time with his family.  He and Gwen were blessed with 3 amazing children who married incredible partners and gave them 7 beautiful grandchildren.

On June 5, 2026, Dave passed away after a year-long journey through cancer. To his last days, he continued to invest in and encourage pastors, giving his life to love and serve the Bride of Christ.

Dave’s legacy continues to this day through the resources gathered here. May the blogs, devotionals, and podcast episodes offer help and hope as you follow Jesus every day.