By Chaplain Smith
I spoke with a 15-year-old boy at the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Justice Center. He was in the medical ward due to his injuries. This young man had been involved in an attempted robbery. His gun went off, shooting, but not killing, his victim—a man who had started to fight the youth. As we talked, this boy welcomed prayer and salvation…

Recently, Bill Holko completed the first 10-week module of Character Development with 10 men in Cellblock 8A at Lorain Correctional. Per Bill, this particular group of guys was especially engaging, conversational and mutually respectful. Here are some comments from a few of the guys in the class: “I just completed Module One of the curriculum, and it was very helpful and educational. The course was refreshing and full of practical application for everyday life. Additionally, the program facilitator (Bill) was extremely professional and very inspirational. He continually extracted examples from his personal life experience to help reinforce the message being highlighted in the curriculum…

One hundred men participated in the first round of “Authentic Manhood: A Man and His Design” at Stark Regional Community Correction Center, with twenty-seven completing the class in its entirety. The graduation ceremony served as an awesome time of reflection upon the past 2 months of meeting and learning together. The course began with a cursory overview of what a godly man looks like and ended with a deep dive into four different faces of manhood, considering the seasons of life. This multi-volume video series provides a vision for men, rooted in Jesus’ 33 years on earth. Facilitated by Richard Swiger (no relationship to Executive Director Mike Swiger!), the class inspires lives of truth, passion and purpose with resources offering clear, practical, and refreshing biblical insights…

By every metric used in prison ministry and reentry, 2024 was a remarkable year of growth for both True Freedom Ministries and Prospera Reentry. Through the faithful dedication of our staff and volunteers, we conducted over 2,000 services, classes, and programs. Total attendance within the prison system eclipsed 45,000 for the first time—an increase of over 5,000 people from the previous year! The hard work of investing in lives for eternity materializes in the weekly discipleship of men and women. Transformative relationships are built through classes like Alpha, Stepping Up, Reformers Unanimous, Celebrate Recovery and our 40-week Character Development program all across the state. Additionally, through the generous support of the TMG Cares Foundation…

https://youtu.be/YvOvAkCVS_0

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/-QpjCGc0FRU

“When I think of True Freedom, I think of the hands and feet of Jesus.”

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

REMINDER!

Family Tobogganing & Potluck

Sunday, January 19th, 2025, beginning at 6:00 pm

Chalet-Toboggan Chutes

(Metro Parks—Mill Stream Run Reservation)

16200 Valley Pkwy, Strongsville, OH 44136

https://youtu.be/F2Nnn5D5INs Jimmie Collins - “Knowing Mike prior to him being released from prison made it so much easier to get involved with this program because he was like me.” 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 one-time end of the year or monthly donation to support True Freedom Ministries for 2025?www.truefreedomministries.com/donate

https://youtu.be/fmJ6ExDDaYs

Michael Parker - “Usually, when you run from God, like Jonah, you run right into Him…When I think of True Freedom, I think of the hands and feet of Jesus.”

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 one-time end of the year or monthly donation to support True Freedom Ministries for 2025?

www.truefreedomministries.com/donate

- By Chaplain Smith

At the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Justice Center, I sat down with a 15-year-old boy. He said he had questions for me. This young man asked how to be saved and how to explain salvation to his mother! Such great questions! I was excited and shocked at the same time. I immediately shared the gospel of Christ, and I wrote it down for his mother, along with supporting Bible verses. I led this boy to Christ and prayed for him and his mother. I also had…

The weather was cold and not ideal, but the players were ready for True Freedom’s 4th annual Yard Day! Six teams competed in this highly anticipated softball tournament at Grafton Correctional Institution. Along with three prison teams, Grafton Correctional Institution, Grafton Reintegration Center, and Lorain Correctional Institution, we hosted three outside teams, Grace Church at Bath, Grace Church at Middleburg Heights, and Friends to Friends. Grafton Correctional Institution took the prize this year. This special day included a generous cookout that beautifully expressed the love of Jesus. The feast included steaks for the entire prisoner population. After the trophy presentation, executive Director Michael Swiger shared the Gospel. Please pray that seeds planted at this event will bring forth forever fruit. Thank you for your contributions to our ministry, allowing us to serve the broken in creative ways as God touches hearts and calls them to Himself…

We praise God for our amazing volunteers. What a blessing to have such gracious hearts devoted to serving our clients.

For those who have volunteered with True Freedom during 2024, it is our pleasure to invite you to this year’s Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Saturday, December 7th, 2024, at Cuyahoga Valley Church, 5055 E Wallings Rd., Broadview Heights, OH 44147, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Please RSVP by November 25th to Kitt Rossi, krossi@tfmohio.com,

216-202-3636 ext. 703.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1Peter 4:10

In 2024, correctional institutions throughout the state of Ohio have opened their doors to True Freedom. The infographic map below displays the facilities that welcome us on a regular basis (indicated by the color green) and those we have visited once or twice this year (indicated by the color blue). Many thanks to our partners who make this possible. Please pray that we would be empowered by the Spirit to faithfully to share the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. We give thanks to the Lord our God! There is hope in Jesus Christ…

By God’s grace, True Freedom Ministries was recognized by Stark Regional Community Center as the organization that had the greatest impact on its staff and residents this year. Our offerings at Stark include a 40-week Character Development Class, Celebrate Recovery Step Study, Motherhood, Workforce Development, Art and Soul, and the Breaking Free Bible Study. True Freedom is so thankful for our partnership with this facility. Thank you so very much for all that you do to empower us to complete the mission God has given us…

Before Covid-19, True Freedom’s Executive Director Michael Swiger and Cyril Prabhu forged a partnership. Their goal was to facilitate reconciliation between incarcerated parents and their children in Ohio. Recently, this beautiful dream became a reality at Grafton Correctional Institution!

Cyril is the founder of Proverbs 22:6. The amazing system he designed outlines concrete steps for parents and children to take towards each other, with support from local organizations like True Freedom. The event at Grafton started with True Freedom volunteers standing in two lines to form a tunnel through which kids and dads would run into each other’s arms. Needless to say, there was not a dry eye in the house. Next came a carnival complete with games, face painting, cotton candy, and popcorn—an experience...

Chaplain David Hill is making a huge impact in the lives of many inmates as he teaches “Celebrate Recovery,” a faith-based addiction-recovery program, and “Character Development,” a 40-week class based on the book of Proverbs. Here’s what inmates are saying: “Pastor Dave has opened my mind and helped with my questions, doubts, and fears. He helped me find just enough faith and hope to continue walking with God. He is a totally awesome and extremely...

Bill Holko recently completed another round of “Stepping Up” at the Grafton Reintegration Center (GRC). “Stepping Up” is a 10-week class comprised of a video series, an extensive workbook, and class discussions focused on courageous biblical manhood. The men also write individual “Stepping Up” plans, which address the self-identified areas of their lives in which they want to grow. Here’s what clients are saying: “An amazing fundamental program for guiding men today, “Stepping Up” was insightful. I only wish I had access to a program like this as a young boy...

I had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of True Freedom’s programming during my incarceration at Northeast Reintegration Center. It is a phenomenal ministry! The mother-daughter duo teaching the courses are anointed and absolutely astonishing. They don’t just teach God’s Word and life skills, they live what they teach. They are completely transparent with us ladies, while being compassionate, loving, caring, understanding, and never judging us. You literally cannot only feel but see the Jesus in them. Jess and Cayla McCamon are blessings on earth...

True Freedom’s Homeless Ministry continues to be the hands and feet of Jesus in Northeast Ohio. This tireless team recently distributed 175 dental hygiene kits to the least of these in Cleveland. Every month members invest hours collecting, sorting, and delivering donated and purchased personal hygiene items to the Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry Men’s Shelter. Additionally, this committed crew gave 166 personal hygiene kits to men and women at Stark Regional Community Corrections Center. Homeless ministry partners Bishop Cosgrove Center, Thea Bowman Center, and Refuge of Hope joined our team to distribute 966 “comfort kits” to homeless men and women in Cleveland and Canton. These kits contained items especially helpful during colder months like socks, lip balm, and Eucerin skin cream, as well as toothbrushes and toothpaste.Meeting Neighbors’ Needs...