Westminster Biblical Missions

REV. ALEXANDER DAVID (JULY 21, 1925 - NOVEMBER 6, 2005)

“Well done, good and faithful servant . . . .”

Alexander David, affectionately known as, “Papa Ji” by family and friends, was born on July 21, 1925 in Youngsonabad, Pakistan. He was the first born of nine children to Samuel and Rachel David.

In his early life, he had the experience of new birth. He was in the fifth grade when he accepted the Lord as his personal Saviour. From his early years he had the vision to share the good news. A team of evangelists (called Sadhus) came to his village. Alexander wanted to be like those evangelists teaching the people from town to town. His father, Mr. Samuel David, who was in the British Army, was a dedicated Christian. He encouraged Alexander to pursue his interest in evangelism, but urged him to finish his education first so God could use him more efficiently. He believed that his father was right and it proved to be true as God used him, not only in Pakistan, but also around the world.

Alexander was acquainted with his future wife, Feroza Maherdad, since their early school years. Every time she would walk pass his house, his mother would say, “I would like to make this pretty girl my daughter-in-law.” In God’s providence, they were married on January 17, 1945 and were blessed to celebrate over 60 years of marriage together. They were blessed with three daughters (Roseline, Josephine, and Irene) and three sons (Samuel, Daniel, and Emmanuel). They raised their children according to the Christian faith, passing on their traditions, values, and morals learned from their own parents. At the time of his passing from this life, “Papa Ji” was the proud grandfather of nineteen grandchildren.

In fulfilling his father’s wishes, Rev. David graduated from Murray College with a Bachelor of Arts in 1946. For a while he worked with the Department of Food and Agriculture. Even though he would witness to his co-workers, he still had his heart set on working in the ministry. In an answer to prayer, he was accepted to the Gujranwala Theological Seminary as a student and graduated in 1953 with a Bachelor of Divinity degree. Following his graduation, he served this same institution as a Professor of Theology, Homiletics and Christian Education for eleven years. During this time in took, he took an educational leave and came to Biblical Theological Seminary in New York, New York to achieve a Master of Arts in Religious Education. He continued to teach and preach upon returning to his homeland. In 1964, he became Director of Education with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Pakistan. He also worked with various other ministries; including Campus Crusade for Christ until the late 1970’s. In 1980, with the help of his younger brother Arthur, he was called to minister in his home village, Chak #174, where his family has settled. There he served as pastor of the local Presbyterian church for over ten years. During this time he developed educational and vocational ministries for both boys and girls that continues to this day. This ministry would become known as the “Pakistan Village Ministry” under Westminster Biblical Missions.

Due to a heart attack and necessary open heart surgery he retired to the United States in 1991. Although no longer in the active pastoral ministry, his retirement years were well spent as he continued to teach and preach in churches throughout the U.S. He also saw this as an opportunity to write and translate Reformed literature into the Urdu language of Pakistan. Some of his translation work included a Workbook on the Heidelberg Catechism by Rev. Norman Jones, Confessing Christ by Calvin K. Cummings, Unto Every Good Work: A Manual for Elders Edited by Ronald W. Nickerson, The Reformed Faith by Loraine Boettner and Christianity and Humanism: A Study In Contrast by Steve Hallman. His published material in the Urdu language is his legacy for the Urdu speaking community.

His work in the villages continues in Pakistan through the “Pakistan Village Ministry” of Westminster Biblical Missions. His brother, Arthur David, supervises the work there while his eldest son, Rev. Samuel David, labors in the U.S. promoting this work.

It truly can be said of Alexander David, that he served the Lord until his last breath. He leaves us an example of humility, faithfulness and service to his blessed Saviour Jesus Christ. The last words uttered by this “faithful servant” of God were “Thanks God, thanks God, thanks God . . . .” Perhaps it was in response to hearing, “well done my good and faithful servant …… enter into the joy of your Lord.” – Matthew 25:21

The family asks that in lieu of flowers or personal gifts, contributions in memory of Rev. Alexander David be sent to: Westminster Biblical Missions, Inc. Please mark on your gift: “Pakistan Village Ministry”

Posted on November 20th, 2005 by Rev. Dennis Roe
Filed under: Biographies, Pakistan