Sundays at Luma
When
9:30 AM | Fellowship & Refreshments
9:50 AM | Worship & Sermon
Where
Special Sundays
5th Sundays
Fellowship and potluck lunch after the service
About
LUMA Bible Church by God's grace seeks to be a light in the darkness. A lamp burning, inviting in the weary soul. A flame of Jesus Christ's presence to a dark world. A Word-centered community navigating the narrow path by the light of God's Spirit and Wisdom.
Our Name
The root “luma” is the expression of light and can be seen in many words expressing light or brightness: - illuminate, luminescent, luminous, lumen, etc. The Bible opens with God creating from nothing, speaking, commanding light to exist. The Scriptures are replete with references to light as goodness, glory, understanding, vision, life, wisdom, testimony, presence, angels, God himself, the Church, Holy Spirit and on, and on. Light cannot be hidden. It's presence eliminates darkness, invites the lost, and illuminates the path for navigation. We are LUMA - Shining the light of Christ. For All. In All. Over All.
Our Story
LUMA is a replant of GBC Denver (Galilee Baptist Church of Denver). In 2020 the congregation of GBC voted to sell a property at 1091 Parker Road and relocate. Through COVID and many other trials a new home was found at 9033 Easter Pl. in Centennial and began holding services in March of 2022 as LUMA - a Christ exalting, Bible proclaiming presence.
The Galilee Baptist Church of Denver (GBC Denver) was started in 1888 by Rev. C. H. Walker. Over the more than 135 years of Gospel presence in the Denver area GBC has been involved in establishing and supporting many local ministries such as the Denver Rescue Mission, Denver Seminary, and numerous church plants as well as a rich history of sending and supporting global workers and ministries.
In All
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Jesus is not just a priority to acknowledge in worship gatherings, or a helpful fixer of religious problems. Jesus is first in all things; for all things were made through Him, by Him, and for Him, so that He might be first IN ALL things. Christ IN ALL means ALL that we do, ALL that we are, ALL that we seek is Christ IN-ALL.
For All
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Jesus is reconciling the world to himself. Making all things new FOR ALL who would repent and believe. There are no distinctions of tribe or tongue, those with or without, none are able but those who would call on Christ in faith are welcome. For the same Lord is Lord FOR ALL.
Over All
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All power and authority belong to Jesus and he reigns OVER ALL. Jesus is Lord not just of our salvation, but even over those who disobey and rebel against His Kingdom and Kingship. We believe the reign of Jesus Christ should extend OVER ALL areas of our life, our culture, and our world as commanded in the Great Commission - "teaching them to OBEY all that I have commanded".
Leadership & Staff
Mitch Giannatala
Lead Pastor, Elder
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Mitch Giannatala has been joyfully married to his wife, Rebekah, for over 20 years. Together, they have raised three wonderful children, now ages 18, 17, and 15. Their home is built on a foundation of faith, love, and a shared commitment to serving Christ and His Church.
Mitch is not only a gifted musician but also a faithful and passionate preacher of the gospel. As the Lead Pastor of Luma Bible Church, he has dedicated his life to proclaiming God’s truth and shepherding both his congregation and the greater South Denver community. Having been raised in the church, Mitch has grown into a faithful expositor of Scripture, delivering God’s Word with clarity, depth, and conviction.
What sets Mitch apart is his shepherd’s heart. His love for preaching is only surpassed by his love for people. Whether he is teaching from the pulpit, counseling the hurting, or discipling believers, he does so with a deep sense of humility, grace, and an unwavering commitment to the truth of God’s Word. His soft-spoken nature reflects a quiet strength, demonstrating a Christlike balance of gentleness and boldness as he serves both the lost and the faithful.
Mitch’s ministry is marked by an uncompromising dedication to biblical truth and a sincere desire to see lives transformed by the gospel. Whether through preaching, music, or pastoral care, his greatest joy is pointing people to Jesus Christ and watching them grow in their faith and love for God.
Larry Shults
Elder, Pastoral Care
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Larry is married to Sharilee and they have 5 children. They’ve been with the church since 2006 and when he’s not loving and serving the body in pastoral care he loves to make music and go fishing. The thing that makes LUMA special is that the church is a true family.
Joe Holzman
Elder
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Joe is married to Lisa and have 4 children. Joe has been with the church for 25 years. Joe runs RMETI and serves as an elder. He loves building scale plastic models of all kinds of vehicles but especially military vehicles. What makes LUMA special is that it is full of people who are genuine, caring spiritual family.
Jeff Stevens
Teaching Team, Counseling
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Jeff Stevens has been married to his wife, Jill, for over 32 years. Together, they have been blessed with four adult daughters, three wonderful sons-in-law, and four cherished grandchildren. Their family is deeply rooted in their faith, with a shared commitment to serving Christ and His Church.
Professionally, Jeff has held various executive leadership roles in both public and private corporations, bringing decades of experience in business strategy, organizational leadership, and operational management. However, his true passion lies in ministry, where he has dedicated over 30 years to faithfully serving as a preaching pastor, a gospel-centered biblical counselor, and a committed community evangelist. Through these roles, Jeff has walked alongside individuals and churches, offering biblical wisdom, discipleship, and encouragement for spiritual growth and transformation.
Jeff’s ministry is marked by a high view of God's Word, firmly rooted in the authority of Scripture and the life-changing power of the gospel. He has a deep desire for all he encounters to know and experience Jesus Christ personally, calling them to a life of faith, repentance, and dependence on the sufficiency of Christ.
As the CEO of Kingdom Way Revival, Jeff leads efforts to revitalize struggling churches, equip leaders, and advance the gospel through church planting, replanting, and pastoral care. Additionally, as the President of Kingdom Way Counseling, he provides Christ-centered biblical counseling, helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges with a foundation in God’s truth.
Whether in the boardroom, the pulpit, or across the counseling table, Jeff remains steadfast in his mission to see lives transformed by the gospel and to strengthen the local church for the glory of God.
Joan Skulley
Office Administrator/Finance
Stephen Brazil
Youth Director
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Stephen
Ken Murphy
Teaching Team
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Ken Murphy has been joyfully married to his beautiful wife, Laura, for over 34 years. Together, they have built a strong, faith-filled family, raising five grown children. Their family has continued to grow with the blessing of three wonderful daughters-in-law, a fantastic son-in-law, and eight beloved grandchildren.
Ken is known for his unwavering encouragement and pastoral heart. As the Lead Pastor of Southside Bible Church, he has faithfully preached God’s Word for over 30 years, shepherding his congregation with wisdom, love, and a deep commitment to the gospel. He has a unique gift for making every person feel seen and valued—he has truly never met a stranger. His love for Christ overflows in his love for people, reflecting the heart of the Good Shepherd.
A devoted student of Scripture, Ken is passionate about the Word of God and its life-transforming power. His ministry is built on the firm foundation of biblical truth, and his pastoral care extends beyond the pulpit into deeply meaningful relationships with those he serves. Whether preaching, discipling, or counseling, Ken’s heart is always to point people to Christ, encouraging them to trust in God’s sovereignty and to grow in faith.
Pastor Ken’s approach to biblical counseling is marked by his gentle spirit, his encouraging heart, and his unshakable commitment to truth. He walks alongside individuals with grace and wisdom, helping them navigate life’s struggles with a biblical perspective anchored in God’s promises.
Through his years of faithful ministry, Ken has remained steadfast in his calling—to proclaim Christ, love people, and shepherd God’s flock with humility and joy.
Kelsey Brazil
LUMA Coffee & Youth Sponsor
Brian Rutland
Teaching Team
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Brian met his wife, Heather, while working at a youth camp in 1996. They were married the following year and have been blessed with six children.
Brian was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia and grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia. He attended Virginia Tech, graduating in 1993 with a degree in communication. He came to know Christ through a campus ministry while attending Virginia Tech.
After graduation he spent several years on staff with the Navigators in Colorado Springs working with youth. In 1996 he moved to Denver to pursue more training and preparation for ministry in the local church.
Brian has been on staff, overseeing the youth, at Southside Bible Church since 1998. He became an elder in 2002.
Cristy McMillin
Office Support
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Cristy is married to Curt and has 3 step children. She enjoys card-making and scrapbooking when she isn’t busy serving and helping around the church office. Her favorite thing about LUMA is the in-depth Bible preaching & teaching and what makes LUMA special is the warm fellowship of believers.
Rebekah Giannatala
Children’s Ministry Coordinator
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Rebekah is married to Mitch and they have 3 children. They have been at LUMA since 2017. Rebekah is passionate about teaching the youngest all about Bible and to love Jesus. She loves anything creative like decorating or crafting or planning celebrations. What makes LUMA special is the genuine, loving people of the body - they love the Lord and truly care.
Beliefs
Our faith and our lives are founded on the Rock, the Cornerstone of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; Foretold in prophecy, revealed in the flesh, recorded in Scripture, vindicated and victorious in resurrection, our only hope in life and in death.
As a church we hold the Bible as the Word of God. It is the sole authority in all matters and able to make us wise for salvation and bring the saved to maturity.
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
God the Father
God the Father is the Creator of heaven and earth and is the sovereign over creation and created beings. God freely chose for His glory and purposes to engage in creation and engage with creation. He is the giver and sustainer of all life and with the Son and the Spirit, rule. His plans and purposes cannot be thwarted. He made all things for the praise of His glory and intends for man, in particular, to live in fellowship with Himself and share in the dominion over creation.
Jesus Christ
The Word of God (the Bible) is the inspired, inerrant, revelation of the LORD God. His will, His character, His activity among men. Jesus Christ the Son is the second person of the trinity the Word made flesh and the only name under Heaven by which man can be saved. The Bible as the recorded testaments of Jesus is the singular source and authority as God's voice.
The Holy Spirit
God the Spirit is the 3rd person (not in rank or importance) of the trinity. The Holy Spirit is the giver of life, the presence and glory of God. He convicts the world of sin, leads unto righteousness, and gives wisdom. The Holy Spirit is empowering and abiding in the Church collectively as the temple of the Spirit, but also indwells all believers individually. Through the work of drawing, the Spirit makes the proclamation of the gospel effectual to the heart of the unbeliever and regenerates them to respond in faith. The Spirit is a sign, seal, and deposit on the permanent gift of eternal life. He empowers for holy living by drawing towards repentance in conviction and through the Word of God the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit exalts the work of Christ and unites believers to Father in the work and obedience of the Son. Breathing life and carrying along the writing of Scripture as well as superintending its preservation the Holy Spirit is the essence and power of the Word.
Baptism
Water baptism is instructed for those who have received the saving benefits of Christ's atoning work. Baptism is a sign of the new covenant and a step of obedience and testimony to following Christ in death and receiving life. Baptism by immersion is significant in that it symbolizes washing of the entire person as well as illustrating death and rebirth of the disciple in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Communion
The Lord's Supper (communion) is a participation in the covenant and is to be taken only by those who are members of Christ's Church. The symbolism in the elements of communion are of Christ's body broken and offered to each of us for spiritual life. And His blood which was shed atoning for the sins of the world. It is to be observed whenever the church assembles reflecting our covenant union to Christ's body. In taking communion we remember and proclaim the death of Christ, receive spiritual nourishment for our souls, and signify our unity with other members of Christ's body as well as looking forward in hope to the consummation at the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Last Things
We affirm the imminent, bodily return of Jesus Christ the LORD - according to the totality of the Scriptures and Christ's own testimony - He will come again, not to deal with sin, but to save all those who eagerly await, and to bring the righteous wrath of God against sin and sinners. The return of Christ is the consummation of the redemptive story and our blessed hope. Scripture affirms that the last enemy to be subdued under Christ's eternal reign as King is death itself. Christ will be the judge of all - the living and the dead - and to those whose names are recorded in the book will be granted life in the presence of God eternal. Hell, the place of wrath which was prepared for the Satan and his angels is where all those who are cut off in judgment will suffer in wrath.
Lordship & Kingdom
We believe that Christ is LORD. He is our God and King. In the incarnation Jesus ushered in an inauguration of the Eternal Kingdom which will overturn all other empires, and kingdoms, and it will be the Kingdom which covers the whole Earth as the waters cover the seas. We affirm that Christ is presently holding all power and authority and that through His body - the Church - He exercises the dominion of His Kingdom. Psalm 2 declares that the Messiah Jesus is to rule over all authorities. We affirm a Big God theology which emphasizes the sovereignty of God over all the affairs of His creation as well as the delegated rule and authority of His King - Jesus Christ. We believe Christ is For All - In All - Over All
Our Values
At LUMA, we believe the Gospel is not a product to be packaged but the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16). We are a people formed by grace, gathering under the authority of God’s Word to be shaped, convicted, comforted, and transformed. Our aim is to know Christ and make Him known through faithful teaching, worship, and life together.
Core Doctrinal Commitments
We affirm the historic Christian faith and hold to the authority, sufficiency, and inerrancy of the Bible. Our doctrinal foundation is informed by the Five Solas of the Reformation and a robust understanding of salvation by grace alone.
- Sola Scriptura – The Bible alone is our highest authority.
- Sola Fide – We are justified by faith alone.
- Sola Gratia – Salvation is by grace alone, not human effort.
- Solus Christus – Jesus Christ alone is our Savior and mediator.
- Soli Deo Gloria – All glory belongs to God alone.
There are 6 distinctives.
1. One Plan of God Centered in Jesus Christ
2. The Old Testament Should be Interpreted in Light of the New Testament
3. The Old Covenant was Temporary by Divine Design
4. There is No Tripartite Division of the Law
5. We are not under the Law of Moses, but under the Law of Christ
6. All in the New Covenant Community Have the Holy Spirit
New Covenant Theology overview
What We Believe About Salvation (Reformed Soteriology)
We hold to the biblical doctrines of grace, often summarized in the five points of Reformed soteriology. We believe salvation is a sovereign work of God from beginning to end:
- Total Depravity: All people are born in sin and unable to save themselves (Ephesians 2:1–3).
- Unconditional Election: God chose His people before the foundation of the world, not based on anything we would do (Romans 9:11–13).
- Limited Atonement: Christ died with the definite purpose of securing salvation for God’s elect (John 10:14–15).
- Irresistible Grace: When God calls a sinner to Himself, that call is effectual and cannot ultimately be resisted (John 6:37).
- Perseverance of the Saints: Those whom God saves will endure to the end by His preserving grace (Philippians 1:6).
In short: we believe salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and that faith itself is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Historic Confessions and Unity
We stand in continuity with the historic creeds and confessions of the Christian faith, including:
- The Apostles’ Creed
- The Nicene Creed
- The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith (as a faithful summary of biblical doctrine)
These statements do not replace the Bible, but summarize truths we believe are clearly taught within it.
Why We Teach, the Way We Teach (Expository Preaching)
At LUMA, we believe the best way to honor the authority of Scripture is to preach it as it was written—book by book, verse by verse. This is called expository preaching, and it means the main point of the sermon is the main point of the Biblical text.
We teach this way because we are convinced that the Word of God is what the Spirit uses to grow and sustain the people of God (2 Timothy 3:16–17; Isaiah 55:10–11). Faithful exposition keeps Christ at the center and guards against human agendas, opinions, and novelty.
This method isn’t dry or disconnected—it brings the full meaning and beauty of the Gospel to the surface. Our goal in every message is to make the timeless truth of Scripture clear, accessible, and applicable to everyday life. We want people not just to learn the Bible, but to meet the God who speaks through it.
We understand that doctrines like election and depravity can raise questions. We don’t teach them to be provocative, but because we believe they magnify God's grace and anchor our assurance. The more clearly we see our need, the more precious Christ becomes.
If you have questions or want to talk more, we’d love to have a conversation. Reach out to a pastor—no pressure, just open dialogue.
Expository Teaching in Practice
Every Sunday, we gather under the Word through verse-by-verse exposition of the Bible. We believe the Spirit works through the Word to form a people who treasure Christ above all else.
Want a preview? Listen to a recent message or watch a short clip:
Not sure where to begin? Try one of our recommended messages: