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Local Reach
Steven and Sofi Boyle serve in northeastern Portland, Oregon, in a community on the fringe of urban development that has been around for over one hundred years. The area hosts a number of diverse “villages,” including condos, RV parks, and wealthier gated homes. This diversity requires prayerfully penetrating each village within the church community to find the best way to reach all residents with the gospel message.
Despite the socio-economic diversity in this Portland community, few residents have religious backgrounds. While many have their own ideas of what it means to be a Christian, an understanding of the true gospel message is needed.
After seeing the need in their community, the Boyles started reaching out to neighbors in the three-square-mile area around their church. They lead seven different worship and discipleship ministries in Columbia Community Bible Church, and also participate in three community groups outside the church.
Steven writes, “The Lord has made it clear to us that our ministry at Columbia Community Bible Church involves three areas: church edification and leadership, discipleship, and evangelism.” These goals are met in a number of ways, including providing meals after church on Sunday, offering transportation for those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend church services, and giving wise counsel to those suffering from physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Steven and Sofi are waiting on God to see where their ministry can expand and grow to reach even more individuals and families in the community.
The Boyles have served as InFaith associates since 1978.
Coming to Christ after receiving a B.S. in anthropology from the University of Oregon, Steven served two years in Christian education before completing a certificate course in Bible at two of the Torchbearers International Bible Schools, in England and Germany. He also studied at L’Abri Fellowship in Huemoz, Switzerland and Thollon, France; completed a M.A. at the Institute of Holy Land Studies in Jerusalem, Israel; and earned M.Div. and Th.M. degrees at Western Seminary.
After a pastoral internship at his home church, Steven pastored three different churches in Oregon and California. For over seventeen years, he has taught part-time at Bible colleges and universities, a community college, and a vocational college, as well as teaching elementary school English. For the last two years, the Lord has allowed him to teach modular courses at Trinidad and Tobago Bible College, exposing his congregation to international missions work.
Steven and Sofi have been married for twenty-four years and have one daughter. Steven enjoys artistic interests of sculpting, leatherwork, jewelry making, and especially woodworking. An avid fly fisherman who ties his own flies and builds his own rods, he loves to teach others to do the same. He unwinds outdoors.