Dr. David Depew was a gifted Bible teacher, writer, missionary, archaeologist, and Christian lawyer whose passion for sharing the Gospel—especially with Jewish and Muslim communities—defined his life and legacy.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, David graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School (1958) and went on to study microbiology at Cal-State LA (1960–64). He served with distinction in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps (1964–66) before earning his LLB from Blackstone School of Law and passing the State Bar. Later, David and his wife, Patricia (“Pat”) Depew, would both study at the Institute of Holy Land Studies in Jerusalem (1985) and go on to receive Master’s degrees in Biblical Studies from Liberty University (1990), where David graduated Summa Cum Laude. He also pursued his PhD at Kensington University of Law, completing a dissertation titled “Civil and Criminal Laws of the Dead Sea Scrolls Compared to Biblical and Ancient Laws.”
David had a deep love for Scripture and was proficient in Hebrew and Greek, often seen with his English, Hebrew, and Greek Bibles—annotated with scripture illustrations he personally cut and pasted. A man of immense academic curiosity and spiritual depth, he was active in the Biblical Archaeological Society of Oriental Research (B.A.R.), serving as President of its Los Angeles chapter for 12 years. He and Pat participated in the first excavation season of Tel Jezreel in Israel, reflecting their shared passion for biblical archaeology.
Alongside his professional and ministry accomplishments, David was a professor, microbiologist, missionary, and Christian apologist. His part-time work as an FDA investigator supported their missionary efforts, while Pat—also a registered nurse, professor, and published author—was his unwavering partner in both life and ministry.
David’s ministry extended globally:
- He and Pat were missionaries to South Africa, sent by the Wesleyan and Nazarene churches.
- Together, they ministered in the Philippines, teaching and organizing theological libraries.
- For over 25 years, they taught at Chinese seminaries in Alhambra and Irvine, California.
- They were specialized tour conductors for study groups visiting the Holy Land.
- David served as President of the L.A. Outreach to Muslims and contributed to apologetics, including writing for Christian Answers to Islam, with works translated into Arabic and Chinese.
A strong voice in Christian legal activism, David partnered with other Christian lawyers in litigation addressing pressing social issues, with cases reaching the Sacramento Superior Court. He also authored “Timeless Laws for Modern Man,”a handbook examining Old Testament civil and criminal law.
In 1984, inspired by George Otis of High Adventure Ministries, David founded the Seed of Abraham (Nasel Ibrahim) Bible Radio Ministry to broadcast the Gospel throughout the Middle East via shortwave radio in both Arabic and English. That calling continues today—faithfully carried on by his wife and ministry partner, Patricia Depew.