In Birmingham, 30% are Muslims: How do you reach them?

Wes Erpen is retiring from Birmingham City Mission (BCM) after 51 years’ service – 30 as CEO. He has also been the pastor at Fatherless Barn Evangelical Church in Halesowen for more than 20 years.

Established in 1966 – BCM celebrates 60 years this year – it is young for a city mission (London City Mission, for example, dates back to 1835 and Glasgow City Mission even earlier, to 1826).

BCM was not even a decade old when Wes joined the staff in 1975 – the year the Vietnam War ended, Margaret Thatcher became leader of the Conservative Party, and the iconic Jaws movie was released.