Native Oregonian Kyle Lewis has been a professional pianist, educator and worship leader for over 30 years. After earning a music education degree from the University of Oregon, he launched his career as an elementary music teacher in the North Clackamas School District. He taught there for 6 years before getting his start into full-time vocational music ministry at Good Shepherd Community Church.

“My grandmother was a church pianist and my mom was always singing around the house. There was always music in my life. It was an easy choice to step into that profession.”

In 2003, he and his family answered the call to work with Greater Europe Mission in France where he led worship at a local French-speaking church, trained musicians individually and through workshops, and organized outreach events via a gospel choir made up of local church members. Kyle’s love for gospel music was fostered early on in college where he accompanied the University Gospel Ensemble and Inspirational Sounds under the direction of John Gainer.

“John took this young kid from a small farming community in eastern Oregon under his wing and exposed me to various artists in the gospel world. He was a mentor to me and I would not have the love or appreciation for gospel music that I do today if it weren’t for him.”

After moving back to the US in 2007, Kyle worked part-time for a few churches while at the same time earning his masters in music from Portland State University. In 2011, he accepted an offer to work full-time as worship pastor at Damascus Community Church. After 10 years and through much prayer and advice from others, Kyle took an early retirement in November of 2021 so he could focus his energy on training local pianists for worship, develop YouTube training videos and play music at local venues.

In addition to his teaching and ministry, Kyle has spent his adult life playing piano for weddings, dinners and restaurants. He has accompanied various vocalists, played in various bands and has several individual and church sponsored recordings to his credit. He is a regular at Jazzy Bagels in Gresham, Oregon and recently joined a blues band.

“I can’t believe I get to do what I do. Music, ministry, travel. I am so blessed. I am also blessed to have such a wonderful family. I am married to the love of my life and we have two wonderful kids who, despite dad being a dork sometimes, still like hanging out and spending time together. God is good.