Reverend Dr. J. Wesley Babian ("Wes")

Before coming to First Baptist Church Birmingham, Michigan, Wes Babian served churches in Illinois, Iowa, and Ohio.  Developing the lives of congregations through worship, growth, and service is the foundation of his is approach to ministry. 

Peace and justice concerns have marked his ministry through out the years.  Community involvement and leadership are integral to how he understands his calling and that of the church.

Wes has been richly blessed to be pastor to the people of the churches he has served.  Being a pastor allows him to learn and grow in many arenas of interest and to be with people across the whole range of ages and stages of life.  These aspects of pastoral ministry are among those realities he loves most about being a pastor.   

Wes is active in American Baptist life in Metropolitan Detroit Association of American Baptist Churches and the American Baptist Churches of Michigan.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, from the University of Michigan, a Master of Divinity from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary, and received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Wittenberg University.

Wes is a life long learner and reader of many topics.  He enjoys history, architecture, all kinds of music, sports, and being involved in community development.  A current personal mission is in gaining knowledge & interest in global water issues and how to provide self-sustaining supplies of clean drinking water to remote regions.

Wes and wife Patty have three sons and daughters-in-law and have three beautiful grandchildren.