His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ ~Matthew 25:21
 
It was my distinct pleasure to give honor to a man of God who exhibited faith, sacrifice and humility at his home going at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Clarkston, MI on Monday, September 10th.
 
It has been said that true humility is not thinking less of yourself, but rather, thinking of yourself less, and that was Ralph Accorsi.  Ralph knew the love of Jesus, so he had to share his heart.  When you truly know that love, first hand, it’s hard to shut up about it!
 
Ralph would drive great distances through snow storms, and all kinds of inclement weather (and in his wheelchair, no less) to share the love of Jesus to the inmates at the Macomb County Jail. Ralph truly answered the call the Lord laid upon his heart to preach the Gospel to the least of these.
 
The Macomb County Jail is a very unpleasant place.  It’s ugly, it’s dirty, and it’s smelly.  Evil and darkness live there!  It’s a place where men and women have lost their way and have lost their hope. It’s a place where people are oppressed and depressed.  They can’t see their way out of the nightmare, and for some, despair sets in.
 
There is more uncertainty there, than you will find anywhere.
 
Oh!  But out of all the craziness and madness, out of all the commotion, confusion, violence and utter mayhem, comes a cry.  An honest to goodness bonafide cry from those society seems to have forgotten!  It’s a cry that’s heard by our Savior, and He shows up through people like Ralph Accorsi to give them hope through the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
Jesus said the greatest in the kingdom was the servant.  Ralph Accorsi, indeed, was a faithful servant with a heart for the lost.
 
Ralph was sure to have heard, when he entered heaven: “Welcome Ralph.  Well done good and faithful servant…”  He will be missed at the Macomb County Jail by the ministry team and, especially, the inmates!  Our sincere condolences to the family.
 
Please see the newsletter for updates on the jail ministry and aftercare.
 
In His Service,
Chaplains Steve and Robin Malek