Nykoa Boler made history at DBC by becoming the first African-American woman to chair the Leadership team, serving a four-year term that concluded in 2024. During her tenure, the Leadership team provided crucial guidance for the DBC Mainstreet renovation process. Nykoa's faith is anchored in Romans 5:8, which serves as her personal focus verse. She and her family were first introduced to DBC by the Copper family and have been an integral part of the church community since 1984. Nykoa believes that when everyone contributes to the church's efforts, no one person becomes overwhelmed, and she lives out this conviction through her own service and leadership.

Personal Achievements

What is a personal achievement or milestone that you are particularly proud of?

How did you overcome obstacles to achieve this goal?

To be precise, I do not think of these as my own achievements but rather as God working through me. I believe that being able to fulfill the mission God has given me as a woman, despite difficult family and social circumstances, is something only God could have made possible. When I was in high school, I encountered God deeply and received a calling to dedicate my life to His kingdom. I was called to evangelize and bring souls to Him. However, my family faced financial ruin, and my parents severely opposed my faith.

To keep my faith, I endured beatings and was cast out of my home, yet I never gave up on worship and devotion. Despite my parents’ long-standing opposition, by God's grace, I was able to serve as a missionary for 23 years. In the end, God led both of my parents to become Christians. Hallelujah!

As a full-time missionary, I had no money and no proper childcare. At times, I carried my baby on my back while evangelizing, leading worship, and preaching on university campuses. I often felt guilty, wondering if my children would grow up feeling emotionally safe. But each time, God comforted me and promised that my children would be raised with abundant love. Now, my children love God and strive to love others. God has raised them Himself. Thank You, Lord.

After serving as a missionary in Korea for 23 years, God sent me to the United States as a missionary. I was approaching 50 years old and had only basic English and driving skills. Leaving behind the safety and comfort of life in Korea, my family was thrust into a new mission field in the U.S. At first, I wondered why God had sent us to a place that didn’t seem to need missionaries. But soon, I realized that this place was a gathering of nations—it was the world itself.

As I grow older, my memory weakens, and even though I study English for 3 to 4 hours a day, communication remains a challenge. But I will never give up because my reason for learning English is simple: I want to share God’s love and the gospel with people from every nation. This may be the most precious goal I could ever have in this life. Though I am still lacking in many ways, I am surrounded by countless beautiful women who encourage, comfort, and serve together in this sacred mission. With them, I continue to share God’s love with those who have yet to know Him.

What advice would you give to others facing similar challenges?

I have heard from many women missionaries overseas about how they suffer because of language barriers. I have also heard of the many difficulties they face while raising children. God does not demand perfection from us. He simply desires that we remain faithfully where He has placed us, relying only on Him. When we do, He will accomplish His work.

 Women's History

What woman from history would you like to learn more about?

A long time ago, I read a book in Korea called Through Gates of Splendor. This book tells the story of missionary Jim Elliot and his fellow workers who were martyred in 1956 while trying to bring the gospel to the Auca people of Ecuador. After her husband’s death, Elizabeth Elliot received medical training and, a year later, entered the Auca territory to live among the very people who had killed her husband and his team. She learned their language, embraced their culture, and dedicated herself to sharing the gospel with them.

This story left a deep impact on me. I want to learn more about Elizabeth Elliot—how she was able to return to the people who had taken her husband’s life, how she learned their language, and how she ultimately shared the love of Jesus with them.

Faith and Inspiration

How does your faith inspire or empower you as a woman?

I was born in an era in Korea when society was deeply patriarchal. As I grew up, I never felt loved by my parents, nor did I ever receive words of affirmation from them. I lived under the weight of my own insecurities, believing that I was incapable of doing anything. But when I encountered God, He poured His unconditional love upon me. Over a long period of time, He healed every wound and pain within me. He unearthed the precious gifts He had placed in me from the Father of Lights. God created me as a woman with a heart that deeply understands and cares for others. Through my close relationship with the Holy Spirit, He gave me the ability to sense people’s pain and suffering and to intercede for them with the heart of Jesus.

What scripture, prayer, or spiritual practice gives you strength and resilience in facing challenges?

The scriptures God has given me:

• Isaiah 40:1: "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God."
• Isaiah 43:1–2, 7–8: "But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.'”
• "Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf."
• Isaiah 58:12: "Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings."
• 2 Corinthians 12:9–10: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Every morning, my family holds a prayer meeting from 6:00 to 7:00 a.m. Every Wednesday and Friday, we hold family worship. Each of us also has our own personal prayer time. Through these practices, we train ourselves to live out our faith through scripture and prayer.

At times, when I step into my calling, I am confronted with my own weaknesses and inadequacies. But in those moments, I go before God and pour out my heart completely. Whether I feel lonely, sad, misunderstood, joyful, or discouraged—I bring everything before Him. And He lifts me up with His Word, explains things to me with kindness, and breathes new strength into my spirit. He has given me these words:

• "You will rebuild and restore the desolate souls and communities."
• "Comfort My people."
• "I use you because you are weak. The weaker you are, the more My power and strength are revealed—how wonderful is that?"

How do you believe your faith calls you to support or uplift other women?

God has created each of us uniquely and has planted beautiful gifts within us. These gifts can only be discovered through deep communion with Him. Even if we feel incomplete, when we bring ourselves before God, He refines us into something as precious as a jewel.

In families, churches, and society, women’s gentleness, deep empathy, and ability to comfort and discern are always needed. When we pray, these gifts are filled with God’s love and inspiration and can be used in the most beautiful ways.

Personal Achievements:

What is a personal achievement or milestone that you are particularly proud of?

I'm especially proud of being a mother. I know that not all women are given this gift, which makes me even more grateful that the Lord has entrusted me with these 3 children to mold and train to be disciples of Christ. What a humbling and growth-filled experience it has been!

Women's History:

What woman from history would you like to learn more about?

I truly wish we knew more about Mary (Jesus's mother). Oh to be a fly on the wall as she parented Him!

Faith and Inspiration:

What scripture, prayer, or spiritual practice gives you strength and resilience in facing challenges?

I love the poetry of Hosea 11. It talks about how Israel was a "child" and that God loved him and "led them with cords of human kindness". But then it says "my people were bent on turning from me"... just like we still do today. But in His loving kindness and mercy He responds with "I will not turn my back on you... for I am God, not man, the Holy One among you". Centuries later, and the story is the same! His character does not change, so when I'm walking through hard things I remind myself that HE ALONE is the Holy One, who cares for me.

Personal Achievements:

What is a personal achievement or milestone that you are particularly proud of?

In addition to living overseas and international travel for work, I have traveled to 24 different countries (one per year) with my college friend Amie over the past 24 years.

How did you overcome obstacles to achieve this goal?

When we first started traveling, we were both young adults, less than five years out of college, with relatively little money, but we were living overseas—Amie in London and I in Tianjin, China. We started traveling because we wanted to visit each other, and then we decided it would be a great tradition to continue. Over the past 24 years, we have navigated individual changes and losses, including job changes, graduate education, deaths in the family, engagements, marriage, divorce, health challenges, financial challenges, car accidents, and motherhood. Our friendship has also been challenged by conflicts, misunderstandings, and differences of opinion. However, we both love and serve Jesus and each other. Christ has sustained us as individuals, and our friendship has been further blessed by our shared adventures and joy in experiencing and meeting the world.

What advice would you give to others facing similar challenges?

Life is full of challenges, and having a friend who has lived through challenges with me has been a gift. This friendship has helped remind me of who I am and who I am created to be, even when I have been at my lowest. At various points, we made commitments to our friendship, keeping the long-term story in mind. We showed up for each other even when it wasn't easy. We have accepted each other as we are and giggled about our idiosyncrasies. We collect little things that remind us of each other and our friendship throughout the year and laugh as we share them. If you find a friend who sees friendship as a journey, lives a rich life while you're apart, and makes consistent deposits in your shared experiences, cherish that friendship.

Women's History:

What woman from history would you like to learn more about?

I would have loved to get to know and work with Ida Scudder, a female physician who founded Christian Medical College in Vellore, India, in 1900. She was the daughter of missionaries in India who was convicted to become a physician after three women died in childbirth because their husbands refused to have a male physician (Ida's father) care for them. After graduating from Cornell Medical College, she returned to India and started a small 40-bed hospital with the vision that women should have the same access to quality, compassionate healthcare as men, regardless of religion or ability to pay. She also went on to open the first medical school in India for women. The clinic and school she started, Christian Medical College, is now widely regarded as one of the highest-quality health systems in India.

How do you think women's roles in society have evolved over time?

Women like Ida Scudder had to fight to be recognized for their ability to learn, achieve, and lead. They, in turn, had to fight for other women to be seen and given opportunities as well. In our country, women now have the rights to vote, work, own land, and have bank accounts—rights they did not have 100 years ago. This has opened areas of opportunity and independence not enjoyed by women in other countries. However, there are still places where women are not recognized as fully equal to men in value, abilities, and rights. Unfortunately, I think women's roles have not evolved significantly when we take this into account.

What do you believe is the most significant challenge facing women today?

Balance and vulnerability are two significant challenges. Society expects, and we expect ourselves, to excel in all areas of life and keep all the plates spinning. Home, work, family, friendships, community, hobbies—and we're expected to pray, journal, love God, and look happy and cute while doing it. It has never been harder to escape comparison with unrealistic standards than it is now, with the ubiquity of social media, photoshopping, and the ability for individuals to curate how they present themselves.

Faith and Inspiration:

How does your faith inspire or empower you as a woman?

I am a child of God, an image bearer, and Christ knows me, loves me, and died for me. I constantly return to who God says I am. The standards the world approves of, particularly for women, and especially in the church, are capricious, judgmental, and shifting. I must look to God for guidance, rather than culture.

What scripture, prayer, or spiritual practice gives you strength and resilience in facing challenges?

I try to take at least one silent retreat a year (and more if possible) where I leave behind the schedule and demands of daily life and plan to be fully present with God, waiting and listening. Sometimes I engage in personal prayer, reading, and journaling, but these retreats are primarily times for me to quiet my heart, enjoy being with God, and be reminded of His love. As the hymn says, "He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other have ever known."

How do you believe your faith calls you to support or uplift other women?

As I raise my daughter, I am mindful that she is watching and learning. I believe I must live my faith transparently and vulnerably for her, demonstrating that imperfection and a need for God and community are normal and good. I also feel a deep burden for women and children globally who face difficult circumstances, and I focus my professional, vocational, and charitable work on supporting their health and empowerment.

Personal Achievements:

What is a personal achievement or milestone that you are particularly proud of?

It's difficult to look back and single out a particular personal achievement because life is made up of many small milestones and achievements. I first thought about my career in accounting because, as a 1963 female graduate in accounting with a math minor, I didn't have the same opportunities as my male counterparts. I was fortunate to find a small CPA firm that took a chance on me. After almost two years of audit work, often in less-than-friendly environments, I decided that public accounting wasn't for me. When Bill and I married in 1965, we moved to Atlanta, and I transitioned to corporate accounting. When we started our family six years later, I shifted to freelance accounting work from home. Through my network of friends, I gained a small number of non-profit clients, including the Atlanta Junior League, the Atlanta Music Club, and the Forward Arts Foundation at the Swan Coach House. Eleven years later, this network recommended me for a full-time job as controller for a group of five foundations, headed by the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation. With the support of my mother, who had been living with us for seven years, Bill, and our two children, ages 11 and 9, encouraged me to take on this responsibility. I grew professionally and thoroughly enjoyed 25 years of working there.
During those 25 years, I had two experiences that tested me in several ways.
I quickly realized that working a 40-hour week downtown left me with no time for exercise. My time at home was filled with the children's activities, as well as caring for Bill, my mom, and the house. Knowing that exercise is key to managing stress, I tried walking with a friend during lunch. However, this was unpleasant in business clothes due to Atlanta's hot and humid climate. There was a male-only YMCA downtown, but no female YWCA (they have since merged). In 1983, my friend and I approached the YMCA with a request to designate a small room with private plumbing for a few portable showers, lockers, and benches for female use. We wouldn't invade the gym or other private areas; we just wanted to change clothes, run outside, and shower afterwards. To our surprise, they agreed, and we found other females in our building to join us. For the next 10 years, until the building was demolished to make way for Olympic Park, I was able to log 500 miles per year by running during lunch from the YMCA to Georgia Tech and back. This experience inspired me to compete in several 10K races.
The second experience that tested me occurred in February 1993, when a major snowstorm shut down surrounding schools and colleges. Our 19-year-old son came home from Berry College with the idea that he and I should hike the 12-mile second section of the Appalachian Trail while it was empty of other hikers. My usual excuses—fear of snakes, bears, and mosquitoes—didn't deter him. He secured the necessary equipment, and off we went. He told me to lead for seven miles to our proposed campsite near a creek, following the white markings on the trees. He would follow at a distance, allowing us both to experience being alone in a snow-covered national forest. This wasn't my idea of quality time with my grown son! However, his challenge motivated me to try, if only to please him. I loaded the 40-pound backpack and bedroll, he took a photo, and off I went. I prayed aloud and sang hymns to help me keep going as I climbed over fallen limbs and through unblemished snow. We reached our destination before sunset, built a small fire, and set up our tarps. What happened next was both scary and hilarious, but that's a story for another time. The next morning, I faced the bigger challenge of climbing two miles up Blood Mountain and then trekking three miles down to my car. My son decided to let me complete the final leg alone, insisting I could do it despite my falls.
In all these experiences, I was forced to push myself emotionally and physically. I leaned on my faith, knowing I was never alone. I knew God would guide me in all I attempted. He is the source of my strength! I hope to continue challenging myself until God's work in me is complete.