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
Are You Trying To Make Me Feel Guilty?
John 8:3; Then the Scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery.
In John 8 we read about the woman, not caught before or after the act of adultery, but right smack dab in the very act! (I have to wonder, what were the Scribes and Pharisees doing to have “caught” her…and where was the man she was with? Why wasn’t he brought before Jesus too?) But, I digress…
The wrath of God’s law brought the woman, caught in adultery, to the feet of the Savior. That’s the function of the law, to condemn. That’s what it does, it reveals to the sinner that he is already condemned. He who does not believe in Jesus is condemned already (John 3:18).
Ask a person which one of the Ten Commandments makes him feel guilty? When the Bible says, “You shall not steal”, do you feel guilty? If so, why do you think that is? Could it be because you are guilty? God gave us our conscience so we would know when we break His law. The guilt we feel when we do something wrong tells us we need to repent.
The law is God’s mercy because it shows us there is danger, and we are in desperate need of a Savior. Unfortunately for them, the Scribes and the Pharisees messed up. They brought this woman to the wrong man. You see, this man – the God Man – not only came to fulfill the law, but He also came to save sinners! Jesus then makes a statement that stands as one of the most convicting statements of Scripture: “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” Of course, we know the men saw the error of their ways and walked away and the woman was saved from death and saved from eternal separation from God.
At the Macomb County Jail, we preach the law of God, not to judge, but to simply tell the inmates of God’s judgment on sin. The most beautiful thing the volunteer ministers find is that you don’t have to convince an inmate that they have transgressed the law. They know it and, especially after sentencing, they accept it. That’s why jail and prison ministry is so effective. Ministers don’t have to get over the hurdle of, “I’m a good person…” because the community knows they are in jail, their friends know they are in jail, their brothers and sisters know they are in jail, and even their mama knows they are in jail! Luckily at that realization, the cross becomes a glorious sight!
At the aftercare, the newsletter tells of two men who have graduated the one year program (completed a six month foundational class, have been meeting regularly with their mentor, have been gainfully employed, and are showing growth spiritually) and are being reestablished in the community. We are super proud of these two men!
We would be remiss if we were to close this Chaplain’s report without mentioning something that will be taking place on Thursday, August 23rd, 2018. Being in the jail, the chaplains and volunteers see how drug addiction takes over people’s lives, destroying the addict and wrecking their families. On Thursday, August 23rd, Bethesda Christian Church has graciously offered their church as a venue for a prayer gathering to combat this drug and opioid epidemic plaguing our communities. We invite all to attend. Forty to fifty churches from all over Southeastern Michigan are making the time to come and pray that the Lord of Hosts would do battle and end this scourge once and for all. Please plan to come and join us! Bethesda Christian Church, 14000 Metropolitan Parkway, Sterling Heights, MI 48312 at 7pm. Doors open at 6:00pm.
Guilty no more,
Chaplains Steve and Robin Malek
In Honor of Father's Day
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” ~I John 3:1a.
A little over a year ago, I received a jpay (electronic correspondence for the prison population) from an inmate who was a guest of the state residing at the Gus Harrison Facility in Adrian Michigan. He informed me that he had met a man (Tom) on the yard who was finishing up a 17 year bit, and had nowhere to go, so he told him about Gateway.
Tom came to us broken, hurt, tired, and angry…and unsaved. Fortunately, this is right where Jesus meets us! Here is what Tom wrote just a few days ago:
“Hello, my name is Tom S., and currently a resident at Gateway to Glory home, since late July 2017, following my release from doing 17 ½ years in prison. I was not really feeling the love of the Lord in my heart.
Many things in my life occurred that left a lot of unresolved anger, the most important being the loss of my son to cancer at the age of 10. But, as this past year has moved along, I realized I had every right to question Jesus about my son’s death. For it in turn opened me up to God’s direction, guidance and love Jesus actually had for me.
So, in honor of my son and the love Jesus has for him, it be only fitting that on June 17th, 2018, Father’s Day, I choose the gift of salvation for myself, by placing my faith, trust and love in our Lord, Jesus Christ…”
What better gift to our Heavenly Father on Father’s Day to rejoice with all the angels over one lost sinner who came to repentance! Glory be to God!
Praising the Father,
Chaplain Steve Malek
The Legacy
There is a saying: “When EF Hutton talks, people listen.” Another saying goes like this: “When mothers pray, all of heaven gets quiet.”
As a child I went to a Lutheran church with my mother, where seeds were planted through the word of God. But, we were never admonished to seek a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, to invite Him to be Lord of our lives, to be born again, or filled with the Holy Spirit. There was no emphasis on these wonderful gifts and truths.
But one day at the age of 15, while I was at school, my mother sat in our living room reading the Bible. She came to a passage of Scripture that radically changed her life and is now leaving a legacy because of her faithful prayers.
While sitting and reading her Bible, her eyes and heart were fastened on John 17:23; “ I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” She then laid the Bible down in her lap, looked towards heaven and asked God to please reveal to her what this passage meant. Right there in our living room, sitting in her favorite chair, my mom was baptized with the Holy Spirit. She described it as a physical manifestation. She said a warm feeling started at the top of her head, worked its way down to her fingertips and then down to the soles of her feet.
I came home from school that day to meet a transformed, new mother. She became a devout follower of Jesus Christ, a committed studier of the Word and a prayer warrior. I was a regular part of her prayer time and she had me on numerous prayer lists.
There came a time in my life that my mother had to pray a very hard prayer. This prayer is specifically hard for a mother to make for her son, but she did it nevertheless. Her knowledge of my drug dependency caused her to rely on the Holy Spirit to give her the strength to pray, “Lord, whatever it takes!” Three days after that prayer, I was arrested and had to serve time in a Southern California prison. This is how the ministry of Gateway To Glory was birthed. Glory to God!
My mom was very instrumental in the startup of Gateway to Glory Ministries (GtG). She helped us obtain a 501(c)3 and helped us remodel and refurnish the first aftercare home. Now GtG governs the ministry to the incarcerated at the Macomb County Jail, which involves the coordination of 80+ volunteers, as well as 2 aftercare homes for men and one for women.
Thank you, Helen Malek, my mom. Hats off for your diligence, perseverance, steadfastness and your prayers!
Continuing the Legacy,
Chaplain Steve Malek
The Father's Embrace
If you could solve one problem on the planet, what would it be? I’m sure, if you asked a room full of people that question, you would get a myriad of answers: “I would do away with terrorism,” “Reverse Roe vs. Wade,” “Do away with racism, homelessness, hunger”, “I would want world peace,” the list goes on and on. But the thing I see plaguing this planet is fatherlessness. Not only is the father figure weakened and disparaged in the media and Hollywood, which makes the mom in most homes play both roles (father and mother), but also the addition of same sex “marriage”…the first thing that comes to mind is “Come quickly Lord Jesus”!
At the Macomb County Jail, 85% of all inmates (male and female) had no father figure growing up. There are, also, a large percentage that we talk to that have never even met their father. I believe if we could address the fatherlessness issue, we would see many of the world’s social issues eradicated. Ephesians 6:4 says, “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”
So, what do we do? It’s too late for Ephesians 6:4 to be put into play. The men and women at the Macomb County Jail are adults and well set in their ways. Is it too late? Of course not! Our Heavenly Father has already made a provision. He doesn’t redeem in days, months, or years, He redeems in lifetimes! The provision our Heavenly Father has made, knowing there would be a fatherlessness crisis, is found in Romans 8:14-17; “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together”.
This bondage of fear is a real issue for these inmates. The fear of abandonment, the fear of not being loved, the fear of failure – and, for drug addicts and alcoholics is the fear of their lives becoming unmanageable. That’s why these men and women must embrace this business of adoption instituted by our Heavenly Father Himself. This adoption process takes place when a person responds to the invitation to make Jesus Savior and Lord of their lives. We not only have to accept it in our heart, but we need to profess it with our mouths.
John 6:44; “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” When you sense that tug on your heart don’t shrink away. Respond to the Father’s embrace. Allow Him to adopt you into His family, He will remove all fear. We become legitimate children of God, living and dwelling with our Abba Father who loves us with an unconditional, everlasting love!
At the beginning of April, Easter was celebrated around the world. Many folks celebrate with Easter bunnies, chocolates and Peeps, but Christians know the real celebration of Easter is about the promise of new life through the shed blood of Jesus. We celebrate our risen Lord on that day, and it was our pleasure to gather a group of Bible Study teachers to share that good news at the Macomb County Jail with a service on every floor. We heard, from the volunteers, what a move of God was sensed throughout the jail due to the inmates attendance and attentiveness!
At the end of the month, the men and women of the aftercare ministry were treated to a Michael W. Smith worship concert at Bethesda Christian Church. Though some had never heard him sing before, they all responded positively to his music and style of Christian music.
Being able to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the jail and then discipling those in the aftercare, allows us to advance our mission to “restore lives and families”. By restoring lives through creating an atmosphere where men and women can become Godly men and women, we pray the local families of our counties will be touched and restored to their rightful place of adoption in the Father’s house.
Orphans no longer,
Chaplains Steve and Robin Malek
Abundant Life
Jesus says in John 10:10; “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” The testimony you are about to read brings this scripture into the light, sadly and beautifully.
“῾Your brother is dead. I'm sorry. Do you have plans for his body?’ That's what the cop said when he informed my family of Michael's passing. I was 21 years old. This was the beginning of a journey down a very dark and destructive path, a journey fueled by isolation, self-pity and drug addiction. My logic was simple, however defective: if Michael wasn't given another chance to live, then why should I live? It was textbook survivor's guilt. I became a slave to my sin in the most extreme ways in a desperate attempt to fill the giant hole in my heart, which only got bigger as the years passed. I was truly dead in my transgressions, in every sense: physically dead (overdose), mentally dead (obsessed with my sin), and spiritually dead (totally self-centered and drowning in self-pity). On June 5, 2017, I was prepared to end my life. On that day I made one last cry out to God and He responded in a miraculous way! He sent an angel to stop my suicide and be the vehicle that delivered me right into His loving arms. I found myself on the other side of the state in the Teen Challenge program and this is where God opened my eyes and my life was forever changed. During that season, God did a work in my heart that I cannot explain. The logic still eludes me. My mind runs wild to comprehend what no mind on earth could understand: GRACE! I got out of Teen Challenge and was able to get into the Gateway to Glory program, which has been incredible. Since then, God has been teaching me and blessing me as I continue to walk with Him every day. I have a full-time job and was promoted to manager. I have plans to finish my Psychology degree and become a Christian counselor. I am building good, strong friendships with godly people at Bethesda Christian Church. And I have a foundation that will never fail, even if all else does! That foundation is Jesus Christ. There is no doubt in my mind that the Lamb of God took my place. His blood was poured out and my sin was erased. It was MY death He died and I was raised to life! Today there is no hole in my heart. Rather, there is a whole in my heart. Hallelujah! Thank you, Lord!”
It is such an honor and privilege to be in partnership and linking arms with Life Challenge and Teen Challenge as one of their aftercare programs to help men and women remain in a discipleship program as they reintegrate back into society.
This month began with a time of fellowship and appreciation for the volunteers of the Macomb County Jail. Every two years the volunteers are required to update their credentials by filling out paperwork, and we combined an appreciation meal for them. We always find this meeting to be beneficial to each volunteer because of the live testimonies from former inmates. This year we had two former “guests of the county” give testimony as to how the volunteer religious services impacted their stay at the jail. For many volunteers, this was a “shot in the arm” that their ministry is not in vain! Additionally, we showed our appreciation by giving certificates (suitable for framing) to each volunteer testifying to their selfless service, care and compassion. At the end of the night many volunteers remarked that they were refreshed and reinvigorated and ready to get back in to minister!
Near the end of the month we had the distinct pleasure and joy of witnessing 4 residents of Gateway (and one former resident) get confirmed in Christ. They all made a 6 month commitment to a foundational class called “Knowledge, Relationship and Destiny” where the attendees learn and participate in the sacraments. The final sacrament is the sacrament of confirmation with the laying on of hands to seal the things they learned. This is a great time of celebration, additionally for the residents, it is even more significant because these men made a commitment to finish and they accomplished that goal!
Since Easter was on April 1st this year, we decided to pack and pass out the Easter bags on March 26th (pack) and 27th (pass). With Judy R (the official bag lady) leading the charge and the helping hands of 42 folks from various churches, we packed 1200 bags in the space of 33 minutes – a new record! It’s such a sweet time of fellowship, joking around and some light competition during these bag packs, it is not considered work, but a joyful time. Afterwards, prayer was offered up for each bag that the inmates (and staff who also receive bags) would recognize they are valuable and loved by a Savior called Jesus. Thank you to all of you who came out to help, and thank you to the churches who regularly help us out with purchasing the items needed for these bags. (Throughout the year we ask for gift cards to Sam’s Club to fill Christmas and Easter bags). They make a huge impact on the inmates and officers!
We ended the month with the reminder of Jesus’s death on the cross that ransomed us from our sin on the day we call Good Friday. Chaplain Steve reported that the service he regularly conducts on Friday mornings was exceptional, perhaps due to the weight of sin that Jesus’ sacrifice brings to our minds. Praise God, He allowed the Father’s will to be done so we could be free from sin!
Abundantly thankful,
Chaplains Steve and Robin Malek'
The Power Of The Cross
When the Apostle Paul went to the great, intellectual, Grecian city of Corinth, he said, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (I Corinthians 2:2). When Paul did his best to describe what his message was, he said, “…we preach Christ crucified…”
To the people of Corinth, the preaching of the cross was foolishness, nonsense. But Paul said, “The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” In that great intellectual city the cross of Christ was a stumbling block to the Jews and sheer stupidity to the Gentiles.
This gospel of Christ and Him crucified is still foolishness to millions who are perishing all over the world. I believe that the answer to all the world’s problems can be found at the foot of the cross! It’s where we find healing, forgiveness, reconciliation, salvation, eternal life for all who believe, and it’s all wrapped up in the greatest act of love mankind will ever know.
At the Macomb County Jail, we adhere and align ourselves to Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” (and puts their trust and faith in Him).
Former President Andrew Johnson once said, “We look forward to the day we can nail our flag below the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” As Chaplain I will dedicate myself to always stand behind the cross, kneel beside it, and lay prostrate before it, continually being reminded that it is where my Savior suffered, bled and died for me!
The Gateway residents had a fantastic time at the Wild Game Dinner put on by Lakeside Assembly of God Church. The fundraiser proceeds raises money for 7 local missions (Gateway is one of them) through the selling of the dinner, silent auctions and a live auction. This year, Lakeside had a keynote speaker, Jimmy Gretzinger from Michigan Out of Doors. He spoke about a trial he endured last year, and how he and his family were able to get through it. He said that only through having a firm foundation in Christ did he and his family overcome, and he admonished everyone in attendance to stand firm with Christ, because trials will come and it is Christ who holds you during the storms of life. It was a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to our loving Lord. All of the residents of Gateway (and some of their mentors) were in attendance. Several remarked about how timely the message was and were really blessed by Jimmy’s ability to share so frankly about his personal life.
The Apostle Paul had a firm foundation which was not shaken through the many trials he endured. We, too, will continue preaching Christ, Him crucified and Him raised from the dead. He is our solid foundation. We serve a Living God! “For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.” (Romans 6:9)
Glory be to God!
Chaplain Steve Malek
Prayer And The Word
“ …but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ~Acts 6:4
At the Macomb County Jail and Gateway To Glory aftercare program, we find ourselves involved in various forms of ministry from Angel Tree, book cart, one on one, Christmas and Easter Bags for the inmates and staff, etc. But, we know what has to be central - without wavering and without compromise - that we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of God’s word.
This ministry was birthed out of prayer. One amazing thing that comes to mind that shows the accuracy of that statement is the time my wife, Robin, was looking through some of the old Macomb County Jail Ministry Board meeting minutes. She discovered that the Board had been praying for an aftercare program and, lo and behold, 15 years later the Gateway To Glory aftercare program took on all the responsibilities of the Macomb County Jail Ministry! Every second Monday of the month at 6:30pm, the Chaplain’s office holds a prayer meeting in the Training Room at the Macomb County Jail. The focus is to bathe the jail, inmates, inmates’ families, staff and volunteers of the jail in prayer.
Regarding the “ministry of the word”, we believe the word of God to be more than just a text, it is truly a living document. The Bible is the written, spoken and living word of God. We know that our God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent and so is His word. The Holy Spirit says he will bring all things [His word] to our remembrance, because He is not only multi-dimensional, but He transcends time. He also literally implants His word in us. James 1:21 says, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” We know the Word (Jesus) is the only one that can pierce and change hearts and lives, and we see this first hand at the Macomb County Jail through the tears of repentance and changed countenances of those ministered to.
The aftercare residents were treated to a New Year’s Eve party by one of the Board of Directors. This was a fun filled, safe alternative to what is “traditionally” a well-known drinking or partying night. It was a great night, with great food and fantastic fellowship…not to mention good natured football rivalry!
The Jail Ministry continues to preach and teach the word of God to those who are hurting in the jail. The administrative staff at the jail is also ministering to the families of those incarcerated through the phone calls we receive. There is liberty in the name of Jesus and as we continue to boldly proclaim His name, souls are set free to worship Him, the Prince of Peace!
To all our residents, supporters, donors, volunteers, prayer warriors, Board of Directors and all who are a part of this organization called Gateway To Glory, we vow to give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. Why? Because it’s the only thing on planet Earth that literally transforms hearts, minds and lives.
Glory be to God!
Chaplains Steve and Robin Malek
Just Rewards and Big Blessings – Merry Christmas!
December at the Macomb County Jail is always an anxious, but glorious time! We, at Gateway To Glory, understand what the inmates are going through as they are not able to be with their families, especially their children. That is why we try to make as many provisions as possible to keep up the moral and to keep the focus (the one and only true focus) on the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We show the love of Christ by encouraging each individual to get the focus off of themselves and their current situations, and get it on the greatest gift, the gift of Jesus. Jesus is truly able to do abundantly above and beyond all they could ever think, right where they are.
Gateway shares the joy of Christ’s birth in many different ways during this season, from Caroling to the Max (Christmas Carols and Scripture reading to those in maximum security), to participating in the Angel Tree program, to packing and passing out 1200 Christmas Bags (inmates and staff receive bags stuffed full of God’s word and goodies), to holding a Christmas Day morning service on each and every floor of the jail (the tower, annex, rehab and mental health)! It is truly a month packed with activities and ministry!
Regarding the Christmas Day services, the response from the 8 volunteers that helped make this happen, was that they witnessed a powerful move of the Holy Spirit the likes they had never seen before. I would comment too, by saying Jesus Christ was lifted up and glorified, just like He was 2000 years ago that glorious Christmas morning. The same way His birth was first announced to a bunch of dirty low down shepherds, so it was announced to the inmates at the Macomb County Jail.
Something very interesting happened during the Christmas celebration that showed both “arms” of the Gateway Ministries in action. This event involved the manager of the men’s aftercare house, a man who had become a resident (for approx. 24 hours), and one of Macomb County’s finest.
A man by the name of “Jim” came to our transition house on a Sunday afternoon (Dec 17 – 1 day before the Christmas Bag pack). Within a couple of minutes, the house manager, Mike noticed something very disturbing about the man and immediately notified me. Mike informed me that I would be meeting “one of ‘Jim’s’ personalities” the next night when the men were scheduled to pack the Christmas bags. “Jim” never made it to the bag pack because Monday afternoon he was confronted by Mike on account of some very unusual and erratic behavior he was exhibiting. “Jim” responded with a blow to Mike’s eye and took off running down Elizabeth Street towards the jail. He was definitely running the right direction, because within a minute of Mike’s phone call to 911, the police picked up and arrested “Jim” for assault. He ended up back in custody at the jail.
Hats off to our manager, Mike, who exercised self-control and did not retaliate. Proverbs 19:11 says: “Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs” and Proverbs 29:11 tells us “A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back”.
The next day arrived (Tuesday) and it was time to pass out the Christmas bags to all the inmates at the jail. Guess who was on my team as one of the volunteers? Yep, you guessed it, Mike with his big, black eye! As we entered the Holding Cells for the inmates, I came across a familiar face, “Jim”. I told Mike he could give a bag to that particular inmate. Mike approached the cell, “Jim” shouted, “What are YOU doing here?” Mike calmly responded, “I’m here to tell you Jesus loves you and Merry Christmas. Here is your Christmas Bag!” The expression on “Jim’s” face was priceless! It was truly an expression of someone who had “hot burning coals of shame” just heaped upon his head!
I Peter 3:9; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
We’d say “Jim” has his just rewards and Mike has a big blessing coming his way!
Merry Christmas and Blessing in the New Year!
Chaplains Steve and Robin Malek