September 6, 2006
David Petrescue, Canadian C&MA international worker serving as pastor of an International Church in Cairo, Egypt, died yesterday (9/6/06) tragic accident. He was working on a television antenna on the roof of his nine-story apartment building when he fell to his death.
Many know Petrescue as an effective pastor and gifted leader. For several years he pastored the Unionville C&MA Church in Ontaria. He has contributed frequently to Alliance Life magazine and has touched deeply the lives of many. Petrescue was 53. Plans for his memorial service are to be posted on the Canadian C&MA’s Web site.
Petrescue was the senior pastor of Maadi Community Church in Cairo, an English-based international church serving foreign expatriates. Since he started there in January 1992, the church has grown from 120 to 1,400 and has planted other churches, schools, and ministries. He provided oversight to the entire ministry, establishing vision, leading the team, raising up leaders, raising funds, and ensuring overall pastoral care.
Petrescue was born on June 7, 1953, and was raised in Saskatchewan. He earned his bachelor of Religious Education from Canadian Bible College in 1977, and his bachelor of Theology the following year. Dave was credentialed as an official worker of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in 1978. He served as senior pastor at Unionville Alliance Church in Toronto, Ontario from 1978–1991. In 2003, Petrescue was selected for the DMin Beeson Pastor Program at Asbury Theological Seminary. He had hoped to complete his doctoral work by 2007. He was a regular contributor to Alliance Life magazine.
Dave was married to his wife, Brenda, for 31 years, and they have three adult children residing in British Columbia: Janelle, Tim, and Michelle.