Brother Chester Acklin is The Cathedral at the Crossroads Member of the Month for July, 2019. Brother Acklin has been the proud and loving husband of Opal Acklin for over 30 years, and the loving father of daughter Stacey Acklin and late son, Jody Acklin.

 After migrating from Brooklyn, New York, where the Acklins had been members of Bethesda Baptist Church in Brooklyn, the family ultimately joined New Bethlehem Church in St. Louis, where Brother Acklin served on the Usher Board under Pastor Hosea Gales. 

In 2010, to the delight of our members, Brother and Sister Acklin joined The Cathedral at the Crossroads. Brother Acklin, at first not accompanied by his wife, used to just “stop in” for a visit on occasional Sundays because the Church was in route to several of his routine destinations (of course we know he was really prompted by the Holy Spirit to visit). Brother Acklin said that he felt so welcomed whenever he visited, especially and particularly by Rev. Ellis, a now former Associate Pastor at The Cathedral.  After only a few visits, Brother Acklin told his wife Opal that he had found a very friendly Church and after a few visits together, they joined, and praise God, what an impact their membership has made upon the Church!  Brother Acklin’s interactions with other Church members fully exemplifies Proverbs 18:24 KJV; “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly…”, and Brother Acklin indeed exhibits a bountiful, God given spirit of Friendship in his interactions with other members. Our Church has a regular portion of the Service where we take a few moments to greet each other, and though we all greet each other warmly, Brother Acklin’s interactions are noted by all to be especially warm. Undoubtedly guided by the Holy Spirit, Brother Acklin always seems to discern just the right thing to say, which very, very often solicits not only a handshake from other members, but his very personable interactions also prompt members to shower him with a parcel of smiles and hugs. Though serving in no official office of the Church, Brother Acklin always makes himself available to volunteer for special projects and is also a vocal ambassador for the Church.

Proverbs 18:24, KJV; "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."