Kobby Ofori

As a Black man who recently moved with my family from London to Birmingham, we were in search of a welcoming church community and found Birmingham City Church. The church itself is wonderful, with a warm and inviting atmosphere. I was particularly encouraged by the diversity among the congregation, which made me feel more confident and at home.

The children’s department is excellent, and overall, the church offers a very positive experience. However, after attending for several weeks, I made the difficult decision to look elsewhere. Despite the diverse congregation, I did not see anyone who looked like me in leadership positions. As someone with a passion for ministry and a background in church leadership, this was disheartening.

I hoped to see representation in the form of Black leaders—whether as pastors, youth pastors, assistant pastors, or associate pastors. Unfortunately, the absence of such representation made me feel that there was no path for me to contribute in a meaningful way within this church.

It’s unfortunate because Birmingham City Church is indeed a lovely and wonderful place. I would have loved to stay and become part of the church family, but the lack of visible leadership diversity led me to seek out a different community where I might see a future for my involvement in ministry.