The love of Jesus Christ looked like four competitive games, Chick-Fil-A, and a tall championship trophy at True Freedom’s Second Annual Final Four Basketball Tournament. Grafton Correctional Institution was the venue, hosting four enthusiastic teams fielded by Grafton Correctional Institution (1), Grafton Reintegration Center (1), and Grace Church Bath Campus (2). TF’s Executive Director, Mike Swiger, opened in prayer and, after two intense contests, shared his amazing testimony over lunch. Everyone was moved by the good news of God’s grace. Next came the consolation game, deciding third place. Finally, Grafton Correctional prevailed! One inmate commented…

Incarcerated mothers and their children enjoyed a special time of reconciliation thanks to True Freedom’s partnership with Proverbs 226 ministries. From an emotional opening ceremony with kids and moms running into each other’s arms to a carnival complete with cotton candy and face painting, this event at the Northeast Reintegration Center fostered bonding that most of these families hadn’t known for years. Participants feasted on fried chicken and Chaplain Mark Stradiot shared a relatable message. Next, inmates and children wrote down the names of anyone they needed to forgive. The special paper used was then placed in water, where it dissolved, just like our sins, in the sea of forgetfulness. Later, mothers read letters of apology to children and washed their feet. Missed birthdays were acknowledged; moms danced with their children; and families selected colorful, donated school supplies…

This week on the Griffin Rundown, Mr. Nees sits down with Mike Swiger from True Freedom Ministries to explore the powerful work his organization is doing inside prisons across Ohio. From offering hope to the incarcerated to transforming lives through faith, Mike shares the mission and reach of the ministry in a heartfelt and inspiring conversation.

Click the link below to listen, OR you can find the podcast by searching “The Griffin Rundown” wherever you get your podcasts.

https://thegriffinrundown.alitu.com/episode/9c3dd200-77dc-4427-8f55-febd13bca6f5

In this engaging interview with Kristi Capel, Mike Swiger discusses the essence of True Freedom Ministries and shares inspiring insights from his journey in ministry.

https://www.kristicapel.com/mike-swiger-true-freedom.../

Community West Foundation

#KeepTheGoodGoing #ClevelandNonprofit #TrueFreedomMinistries

We are so thankful for our partnership with Community West Foundation in this campaign. Let's keep the good going. #KeepTheGoodGoing #ClevelandNonProfit

Keep the Good Going: nonprofits play an essential role in our communities. Learn more from the teams doing the work, see the impact, and consider a donation to fuel this critical work today.  Learn more at www.keepthegoodgoing.org

God is blessing us at Stark Regional Community Correction Center. After completing Authentic Manhood: A Man and His Story, we are now underway with Authentic Manhood: A Man and His Traps. These materials direct men toward applicable principles and lives of truth, passion, and purpose. The series includes insightful teaching, inspiring testimonies, expert interviews, and focus group questions, all built on the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here’s what clients are saying: “This course is something I look forward to all week. So far, we’ve studied a myriad of things I need to work on.” -Steven Fetty “I see myself being a better man, not letting my…

True Freedom continues to make a huge impact at Stark Regional Community Correction Center. Recently, we held a graduation ceremony at this facility for students of our Character Development and Celebrate Recovery classes. Feedback from participants has been so encouraging. “Sadly, for years I put God on the back burner while I struggled on my own. All that time, he was just a pray away. Pastor David and Jake have been a crucial part of my spiritual recovery.” “I never had any heroes in my life growing up. My father killed my mother and then himself when I was 9 years old. I now have 3 heroes in my life: Jesus, Pastor Dave, and Chaplain Jake.” “Of all the gifts I remember…

-By Volunteer Jake Manes

Over the past six months, I’ve had the honor of serving alongside Pastor David Hill through True Freedom Ministries at Stark Regional Community Correction Center (SRCCC) in Canton, Ohio. Together, we’ve been helping lead Celebrate Recovery and Character Development classes, watching God move powerfully in the lives of men and women behind bars. Recently, after graduating from both programs myself, we decided to hold a special Yard Day event to reach even more inmates—especially those who haven’t yet been part of our groups. With a team of 9 volunteers, we entered SRCCC with humble resources but big faith. Because of the number of inmates interested, we held three separate services (two for men and one for women). Each service included…

Bill Holko completed another Stepping Up class. This video series class, which includes a workbook and a significant amount of “homework”, focuses on courageous biblical manhood. Each class member is also required to complete an individualized Stepping Up Plan (SUP) which deals with an area of his life in which he determines he needs to demonstrate more courage. The testimonials below were written by men who successfully completed the course: “All glory to God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I am thankful I was given the time to experience the Stepping Up video series. It has, is, and will continue to have an indescribable impact. This is just the beginning. Now, I look forward to…

True Freedom Ministries was recently interviewed by Overcomers TV.

https://overcomerstv.live/true-freedom-ministries/

- By Mitchell Mathie

My name is Mitchell Mathie. I am 38 years old. This is my first time being locked up, and my first felony. It is my only charge other than traffic violations. I came into this situation with an attitude of, “It’s not my fault,” “The world is out to get me,” and “Life has forced me to do what I did.” The Authentic Manhood classes, The Faces of Men and A Man and His Work, have truly helped form a new attitude. Rich Swiger’s teaching, stories, and words of wisdom were exactly what I needed to hear. I now understand it is my actions that got me here. God has a better place for me in his will, and I can be there by working with instead of against Him. I wanted to write this to express how thankful…

- By Larry Carman

Hey Pastor Mark,

This is Larry Carman. I would like to start off by saying thank you for everything you do. I really appreciate the time you take out of your day to help us learn the Word of God. I never thought I would be somebody that changed like this, but I’ve been through Stark Regional Community Correction Center four other times. Not once before did I admit I had a problem, but the staff never gave up on me. Learning God’s Word made me realize I was walking with the devil. But something good finally happened! I’m not sure when or how, but something finally clicked. If it wasn’t for you coming in here, taking the precious time to teach us the Bible, I’m not sure where I’d be headed. With everything in my soul, thank you for…

Did you know the Grafton Reintegration Center, in partnership with PROSPERA Reentry, provides incarcerated men an opportunity to complete a screen-printing apprenticeship? This program is certified by the U.S. Department of Labor and requires the men to complete over 4,000 hours of structured experiential learning. In 2024, three men completed the apprenticeship program, two of them continuing to assist new apprentices and manage the shop. There are currently 9 men in this program. Recently, the Creative Ink Screen-Printing shop (so named by the original inmate-participants) completed a project for the non-profit…

“If you don’t have Jesus, you are incarcerated. https://youtu.be/rqV2TGxqYS0 Thank you for your partnership with us. True Freedom Ministries is having a huge impact in the lives of so many inmates. Would you prayerfully consider making a monthly or one-time gift to support this amazing work that was commissioned by Jesus Himself (Mathew 25:36)?www.truefreedomministries.com/donate

https://youtu.be/oVwwks7zzfo Prospera Reentry is the sister non-profit to True Freedom Ministries, dedicated solely to prisoner workforce empowerment. We transport inmates daily to job sites where they earn from minimum to prevailing wage. This program is having a huge impact. One client shared that Prospera helped him make a smooth transition back to society: “I didn’t have to worry about saving up any money because I already had money. I just had to focus on reuniting with my family, being in my daughter’s life, and bonding…

True Freedom Ministries’ Workforce Readiness Development Course is an 8-week program designed to help incarcerated individuals prepare for the realities of the working world before release and to encourage returning citizens to become the best employees they can be. Using proven methods and basic applications, the Workforce Readiness program seeks to move each cohort into an environment rife with confidence where honing individual abilities is a collateral benefit that occurs naturally as the class progresses. This short course promises to engage thinking, build assertive behaviors, strengthen overall skillsets, and boost…

True Freedom Ministries was approached by a volunteer and donor, John Leone, about a group of inmates at Grafton Correctional Institution who were interested in becoming certified CrossFit instructors as a possible career path after their release. CrossFit is a national fitness franchise that produces measurable outcomes through lifestyle changes, centered on training and nutrition. Workouts consist of constantly varied, high-intensity, functional movements. True Freedom worked with the executive team at Grafton along with CrossFit’s national headquarters…

True Freedom’s own Chaplain Mark Stradiot has been an instructor with Walk Thru the Bible Ministries since 1989. Walk Thru the Bible is an international ministry that includes separate seminars for the Old and New Testaments. The seminars give the BIG picture of the Bible. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is shared during every presentation. Each seminar lasts about 3 hours and incorporates a variety of teaching methods. Mark has done numerous seminars in the states and has also represented Walk Thru the Bible in other countries. In 2025 Mark is taking Walk Thru the Bible into Ohio’s Correctional Institutions. He has already completed seminars in Lorain, Mansfield, Lake Erie, Grafton and Noble prisons, with another 8 seminars on the calendar. So far 212 men have attended the seminars…

Executive Director Michael Swiger was interviewed on Overcomers TV. Watch the interview here:

https://youtube.com/live/ocgBk1yj77k