Grace McAlister
Reporter1@riverbendnews.org
Steve Boyd was born on May 9, 1962, in Winter Haven, Fla., but at a very young age, his mother and father moved to Hatchbend. He lived there until graduation and then moved back to Winter Haven for a job. He came to the Lord at a Youth Camp as a young man and left the altar that night without fully understanding what God was doing. “But He had planted something deep in my heart,” Boyd says. It was an experience that I could never forget.”
Boyd was elected as pastor of Hatchbend Apostolic Church in January of 1989, and he and his wife have been serving in that capacity for over 33 years since. They had spent four years traveling across the United States as full-time evangelists before assuming the church's pastorate, and Boyd feels these years were crucial to the development of our ministry. “Those years broadened our vision for essential things to help solidify a loving and caring church.” In addition to pastoring Hatchbend Apostolic Church, Boyd has served the Florida District United Pentecostal Church International in numerous capacities and has been a member of the Florida District Board since January 1999. At the 2020 District Conference, he was elected as the Florida District Superintendent. In 2022, he was elected to serve on the Urshan Graduate School of Theology Board.
While serving the Lord and serving others, Boyd has found many treasures. The one thing that comes to his mind is that, “If we give God enough time, good things can come to the surface.” Boyd says, “People do not magically morph into what God calls them to do overnight. Therefore, allowing everyone to grow at their own pace takes patience.” Watching others and experiencing his own growth is one of his biggest joys in the ministry.
In his spare time, Boyd enjoys working around the house and in his shop. Though he would never claim to have mastered the art, he enjoys woodworking. It creates a much-needed diversion from the daily task of leading; it's time that he can be disconnected and focus on other things.
He has been married to the love of his life, Jacqueline, for over 42 years. Over 40 of those years, the duo have been involved in ministry. Together, they have a son, Justin and his wife, Sarah. They work together in church as well. Boyd often says, "Ministry is not what we do; the ministry is who we are." He is very honored to have his family together in this team effort.
Boyd’s favorite scripture is one which he quotes more often than any other, and is found in Deuteronomy 33:25: "Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; And as thy days, so shall thy strength be." He says he finds immeasurable hope in the last nine words, "And as thy days, so shall thy strength be."
“Of course, we have no idea what tomorrow may hold, but we have this resounding hope in God's written word,” Boyd says. “Whatever we face, God will give us strength for that day. That's an irrevocable promise, and many have lived to see that fulfilled in their own lives. This scripture gives us hope, and hope is what most people are searching for. That's why I believe our church is remarkable. It's become a safe harbor for those that are hurting. It's become a beacon of light for those seeking guidance and direction.”