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In addition to teaching, Edwin was eager to provide opportunities for children in the local community to engage in extra-curricular activities and soon a Christian Covenanters’ club for teenagers was started. Wes was one of the first boys to attend.

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Wes became a Christian at a Billy Graham rally in Birmingham in 1966, the year BCM was officially founded. Even as a teenager, Wes was involved in the planting of Kingshurst Evangelical Church.

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In his book Steps into the City, Edwin wrote, ‘At a Parents’ Day, Wesley’s mother and father came to see me. They were concerned that their 14-year-old son was interested in becoming a missionary. I encouraged them by saying that he had a long way to go but he could do a lot worse than that. God only then knew just how far he would go.’

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At the same time as the church at Kingshurst was established, BCM was founded. The official inauguration took place on 22nd October 1966. By the early 1970s, Wes had already begun to pursue his interest in missionary work. He became involved at BCM when a group of young people from churches in the city got together to transform a space at their headquarters in Bromsgrove Street. They ran an outreach coffee bar inviting young people off the streets to come in and hear the gospel.  

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After working at a butcher’s shop, Wes went to France with Operation Mobilisation, initially for a month, then longer. He then joined BCM in 1975. He had met his wife Jackie when they were in their early teens, and they eventually married in 1977. After that, they went to Berwick-on- Tweed to Bible College, later to return to Birmingham to be more involved in BCM and at Fatherless Barn Church, Halesowen, where they are still serving today. When Edwin retired as Executive Director of BCM in March 1997, Wes was appointed as his successor.

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Despite his immense experience, heavy workload and responsibilities, Wes is the most open and approachable person one could ever meet. He is never too busy to find time to chat and to show an interest in other people’s lives.

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He has always been ‘hands on’ in his work. He loves to engage with people, and he has served on many occasions in soup kitchens, caring for the elderly, visiting the sick at home or in hospital, comforting the bereaved, officiating at funerals, weddings, baptisms and other important events. He has always embodied the ethos of the outstretched hands of BCM as it seeks to reach out to those in need around the city.

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Wes understands how to relate to all kinds of people – from children and young people, the poor, the homeless, the elderly, those with drug and alcohol addictions, to professionals and business people – he treats all with equal respect and care. He also has a great sense of humour.

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Wes has led BCM through many challenges along the way. He led the Mission as it managed three hostels for the homeless until 2010, and in the expansion of the work of the Care Centre and Resource Centre. He also led the Mission in acquiring and refurbishing the new BCM headquarters at The Clock Tower in Langdon Street. For many years, he has overseen in-service training programmes, giving people opportunities to serve and develop skills in caring for others and sharing the gospel in an urban environment.

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Under Wes’s leadership at BCM, countless people have received food, clothing, furniture, toiletries and more. At Christmas time every year, thousands of children receive toys donated to BCM via schools and churches around the city. He has succeeded in expanding this ministry over the years and has engaged the support of companies such as Jaguar Land Rover in distributing the toys. Wes has also enhanced BCM’s excellent reputation in the city and has continued to foster strong links with other City Missions around the UK and the world.  

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On behalf of all connected with BCM, thank you, Wes, for your leadership and faithful service over so many years. From Kingshurst schoolboy to CEO of BCM, pastor and faithful servant of our city, you have always been a good and faithful servant of God. One day you will hear those words directly from Him, our heavenly Father. Why not hear it from us too? Well done, good and faithful servant. Now enjoy the well-earned opportunity to put your feet up and take it a little easier!

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Thank you and may God bless you richly.

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Martyn Orton

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Photos from top to bottom:

Wes helping at BCM's soup kitchen in the late 1970 or early 80s

Wes (right) at Kingshurst in the late 1960s

Wes (left) helping dig the foundations for Kingshurst Evangelical Church in 1971

BCM staff team in the 1970s with Wes and Jackie on the back row

Wes preaching in the city centre in 1982

Wes hosting BCM's 60th anniversary banquet

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