Luminate frontman Sam Hancock (lead vocal/guitar) grew up in Washington, IN, and began leading worship at his church at 14. While Sam continued this role through high school, he also struggled with the same issues of many teens. Upon graduation, Hancock was at a crossroads of choosing business school or music school. He chose music and enrolled at the Visible School of Music in Memphis. It was there he met Dusty Jakubik (bass), who was looking for a fresh start after the group he was in fell apart after signing a major label deal.

Jakubik liked the music Hancock was writing, and while he wanted to start a band, he was wary of working with someone who still had some growing up to do. “Sam was coming out of a period of rebellion in high school,” recalls Jakubik, who decided to consult with his friend Cody Clark, a guitarist in their mutual hometown of Tyler, TX. “I already knew I wanted to work with Cody. We both shared the idea that we wanted a band that was a brotherhood. We wanted to be close and for the Lord’s hand to be in everything we did. I told Cody, ‘I don’t know about this kid, Sam, but he’s incredibly talented.’”

It soon became apparent that there was no doubt they should work together. With the addition of then 17-year-old Dustin DeLong (keyboard) and Aaron Matthew (drums), who had performed with By The Tree and Kari Jobe, the pop/rock band was completed in Fall 2005. Luminate (meaning, to shine light into darkness) began non-stop touring with its first appearance at Cornerstone Festival in 2006. In 2007, the band met an A&R representative from Sparrow Records at the festival. This relationship eventually led to Luminate signing with the label in March 2009.

Their first full-length studio album was released in 2011 -- Come Home, after their hit song on the record "Come Home." The album was produced by Ed Cash, Paul Moak, and Ben Glover. The album was nominated for the Rock/Contemporary Album Of The Year at the Dove Awards. Luminate's second full-length studio album, released in 2012, was called Welcome To Daylight. The first single from the album, "Banner Of Love," saw success on the Christian radio charts.

As for the future of Luminate, Hancock says, "I believe that the attitude of worship is a place and atmosphere where all of our prayers, needs, and desires collide with the One who can restore everything. That being said, I feel an overwhelming desire to unlock that passion and make leading the church in worship the total focus of myself and Luminate. ...I have been writing songs for the Church with some amazing worship leaders and producers, and on weekends when I'm not touring, I've been leading worship at Salty Church in Ormond Beach, Florida. It's been unbelievable getting back on the front lines of serving in the Church, and it's reignited the original passion God gave me at a young age. I hope you will join me on this new direction, and I hope Luminate's future music will draw you into a deeper place of worshiping God."