A 100,000-Square-Foot House of the Word in Lone Tree
Word of Life Christian Center sits on Park Meadows Drive in Lone Tree, Colorado, in a 100,000-square-foot building that the church finished constructing in the fall of 2000 at a cost of $14 million. Senior Pastor Tim Bagwell has described the facility as a tool to build the kingdom and a dwelling place for the glory of God in the Denver metro area. Inside, the church is known for the uncompromising preaching of the Word and for gatherings where the power of the Holy Ghost is manifested with signs, wonders, miracles, and a prophetic proclamation that has drawn people from the north, south, east, and west to be transformed by the demonstration of the Holy Spirit.
Nearly Four Decades of the Bagwell Pastoral Vision
Dr. Tim Bagwell has pastored Word of Life Christian Center for nearly four decades. He began his full-time ministry in 1972 as a prophetic evangelist whose crusades, conferences, and seminars have taken him across the United States and into several foreign countries. He has authored five books: Prophetic Generation, Possessing Your Prophetic Promise, Empowered for the Call, Empowered for Life, and When I See the Blood. He and his wife, Pastor Gayla Bagwell, have been ministering together since their marriage in October 1975. The Bagwells have two sons, Adam and Aaron, two daughters-in-law, Sarah and Teri, and five grandchildren: Timothy, Jonathan, Annika, Brooklyn, and Alexandria.
The church's stated vision is to proclaim and demonstrate the power and love of God through the uncompromising preaching of the Word, the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit, and serving and educating others with excellence, all to mature God's people to reach the lost. Pastor Gayla is a gifted teacher and vocalist who serves as her husband's constant partner in ministry. She assists in multiple church functions and departments, has traveled across the United States ministering by his side, and has conducted many seminars for ladies.
A Pentecostal Statement of Faith
Word of Life holds to a classical Pentecostal confession. The church believes in one eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and immutable triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. Members confess that Jesus Christ, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, became obedient unto death, bore the curse of sin, sickness, and sorrow, and rose again the third day, where He now lives at the right hand of the Father to make intercession.
Salvation is taught as the free gift of God's grace, received through godly repentance and a wholehearted acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal Savior. Water baptism by immersion, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, is practiced as an outward sign of an inward work, subsequent to conversion. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is described as a definite experience distinct from conversion, with the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, endueing the believer with power from on high for witness and ministry. Word of Life also affirms the final judgment at the great white throne, the literal reality of hell as a place of outer darkness prepared for the devil and his angels, and heaven as the eternal habitation of the living God.
Sunday Morning at Ten
Worship services at Word of Life Christian Center meet on Sundays at 10 a.m. The service is livestreamed online for those who cannot attend in person. The church's media library includes a YouTube playlist of the latest sermons, a Vimeo showcase of Pastor Gayla's exhortations, and a separate channel of end-times courses. Visitors are greeted as friends and invited into a charismatic gathering where the Word is preached, the gifts of the Spirit are welcomed, and people come to hear the uncompromised Word.
Early Childhood, Kids, and Youth
The next generation is a major focus at Word of Life. The early childhood ministry serves children from birth through kindergarten, with themed rooms the staff describes as a tribute to God's creation. The nursery, for babies from birth to 24 months, is staffed with trained adults who use songs, pictures, and play to introduce little ones to Jesus while parents participate in adult worship with complete confidence. The preschool program, for ages 24 months through kindergarten, is led by an energetic team that uses songs, stories, games, and hands-on projects in a place where children are excited to come each week to learn more about Jesus.
WOL Kids is built on the conviction that children are the church of today, not tomorrow. The children's program gathers kids for exciting praise and worship, creative skits, games, puppets, object lessons, and stirring storytelling. WOL Youth is passionate about grounding the next generation in the firm foundation of the Word of God. The youth program hosts monthly Youth Encounter Nights and other monthly events featuring praise and worship, creative games, object lessons, and powerful storytelling. Nick Petersen serves as Youth Ministry Director, and Jennifer Petersen as Student Ministries, Communications and Social Media Director.
Shine: Reflecting God's Glory to Women
Shine Ladies Ministry grew out of Shine Magazine, a Christian women's publication whose first edition was released in 2008 as a lifetime dream of Pastor Gayla Bagwell. The ministry's desire is to shine forth the glory of God in every area of a woman's life, transforming lives into becoming Daughters of the King. Shine hosts Gayla Events, gatherings that have become known as a time of celebration, teaching, and impartation. Each event features food, fellowship, powerful music, beautiful giveaways, and an inspiring, revelatory word from Pastor Gayla. Through visual illustrations and audience participation, ladies feel they have not just been ministered to but have experienced a life-changing event. Shine also operates an online blog and store, with a current edition of the magazine available for purchase.
Golden Eagles for Senior Adults
The Golden Eagles ministry exists to encourage the senior adults of Word of Life to participate in activities that foster wholesome fellowship, health, age-level education pursuits, and spiritual growth, while providing opportunities to add to their circle of friends, serve others, and live a full life.
Beyond Denver
Word of Life's influence extends well beyond Lone Tree. Dr. Bagwell has ministered at some of the most impacting churches in the United States and has appeared multiple times on TBN and Daystar. His crusades in Brazil and other nations have left lasting fruit. Great ministers of the gospel such as Dr. Oral Roberts, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Morris Cerullo, Pastor Rod Parsley, and Reinhard Bonnke have spoken into the lives of Word of Life and the Bagwell family over the years. Dr. Bagwell continues to challenge all who hear him preach with the message, "You are who God says you are."
Practical Details and Plan a Visit
Word of Life Christian Center is located at 8700 East Park Meadows Drive, Lone Tree, Colorado 80124. The pastoral team includes Associate Pastor Mike Dragan, who also serves as Director of Pastoral Care, and Pastor Eric Hamp, who serves as Ministry Consultant. Jennifer Blaszak directs Word of Life Academy, the church's educational programming for children. The church encourages visitors to come as they are, with age-appropriate programs available for children and youth alongside the main service. Giving is available online through the church's giving page, and the Church Center app, available for Apple and Android, keeps the community connected to events and announcements. Word of Life is also active on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Vimeo.