Within a two-week period, two pastors and long-time friends — Adrian Petreaca and Cristian Bobocea — were ordained to gospel ministry.
Petreaca grew up in Romania in an Adventist home with parents who valued family ministry. Growing up in a Communist era challenged his faith, yet helped him find a refuge in the church. He was baptized at age 17.
After serving for a year in the army, Petreaca studied theology in Bucharest. He and his wife, Delia, moved to the United States to attend seminary in Berrien Springs, Mich. Washington Conference later invited Petreaca to pastor in Renton, Wash. Following his parents' example, Petreaca calls his wife and two daughters, Andrada and Vanessa, his "first church."
Bobocea also grew up in Romania where his parents provided living examples of devotion to God and Christ-like service. Involvement in youth leadership fostered an interest in ministry. He was baptized at age 17.
Bobocea's sense of mission matured during college and he prayerfully entered seminary studies. Bobocea and his wife, Simona, served a four-church district in the Moldavia Conference for about a year before beginning seminary studies at Andrews University (Mich.). The Boboceas served in Oregon Conference before accepting a call to pastor the Grays Harbor and Elma churches in Washington Conference. The couple has two boys, Nathan and David.
"It's a privilege to mentor, train and guide young pastors," says Bruce Koch, Washington Conference ministerial director. "Both of these pastors were trained well to share their faith."
Adrian and Delia Petreaca are surrounded by fellow pastors as John Freedman, Washington Conference president, prays for God's blessing on their ministry. (Kaleigh Bing)
