True Freedom Ministries continues to get inside Ohio’s correctional institutions, even as God reaches hearts with the gospel of his Son. This 2025 infographic map shows the facilities we served regularly this year (dark green) along with those we served at least once (light blue). We are grateful for our partners whose financial generosity and prayer support make this work possible. Please pray we will be faithful to share the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection for forgiveness of sins. Give thanks! There is hope in Jesus. Would you prayerfully consider making a one-time end of the year or monthly donation to support True Freedom Ministries for 2026? www.truefreedomministries.com/donate

Classes and Bible studies are bearing fruit at Grafton Reintegration Center: “True Freedom’s programming builds you up, not only for re-entry, but also with Christ, which is truly amazing because, if you walk out of here with Christ, you will leave with victory and success! So, True Freedom Ministries – thank you! You changed my life through Christ!”-James Green Jr. “I can truly say that I have grown tremendously through my studies with True Freedom Ministries and Bill Holko’s teaching, to become a better person. It is essential that we continue to have progress such as this, to prepare for reentry into society, to be assets to our communities and our families. Thank you very, very much.”-W. Bruister

#GivingTuesday
https://youtu.be/9J-iO9igJqI

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)?

Watch David Wessel as he reveals the true heartbeat and mission of True Freedom Ministries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LeFCUF2onY

Watch the new episode of OvercomersTV.LIVE with Chuck Reich as he interviews Mike Swiger about Prisoner Re-Entry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwLAgXNaFWg

True Freedom’s fifth annual Yard Day softball tournament at Grafton Correctional Institution was a huge hit! This year’s eager batters and fielders came from Grafton Correctional Institution (2 teams), Lorain Correctional Institution (1), Grace Church Middleburg Heights (1), and the Friend-to-Friend program (1). After opening the event in prayer, Executive Director Mike Swiger shared the Good News with everyone. In the end, the inmates of Lorain Correctional Institution, new to Yard Day this year, emerged as happy champions. The games were followed by a rare feast of grilled steak and…

What a powerful season! God is truly on the move in the women’s facilities we serve, with overflowing opportunities for healing and freedom. New classes are meeting deep needs, and lives are being transformed. At both the Northeast Reintegration Center (NERC) and Stark Regional Community Correction Center (SRCCC) we launched an Abortion Recovery class for forgiveness and restoration. We’ve seen the Holy Spirit fill wounds that once felt incurable. These testimonies of peace reveal that God is still in the business of making all things new. At SRCCC and NERC, the Lord is restoring families through our new Motherhood class, inviting women to rebuild relationships with Christ and their children. We also launched our fourth cohort of Workforce Development, empowering women with job-readiness skills for life after incarceration. At NERC, we introduced a new program focused on biblical boundaries, helping women learn ways that honor God and protect their hearts. One participant shared, “This program with Jesus has…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOdNOScAlhk

Great things are happening! Lets Keep the good going!

@Community West Foundation #KeepTheGoodGoing #ClevelandNonprofit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeXouhEJFgM

Lets KEEP THE GOOD GOING with the work True Freedom Ministries continues to do to reach Ohio's prisoners, homeless, and addicted with the true freedom found only in Jesus Christ.

@Community West Foundation #KeepTheGoodGoing #ClevelandNonprofit #TrueFreedom

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…