Launching Entrepreneurs

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Launching Entrepreneurs

True Freedom’s Executive Director, Mike Swiger, and the staff at Grafton Correctional Institution joined forces with John Carroll University to launch the Prison Entrepreneurship Program this spring. Seven students traveled to Grafton once a week, for 13 weeks, to help incarcerated men work on their business ideas. Using the award-winning Experiential Entrepreneurship Curriculum, students identified each participant’s interests, skills, and passions. Together, inmates and students developed business plans for students to bring to life…

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Final Four Fun

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Final Four Fun

True Freedom Ministries’ dream of sponsoring two Final Four Basketball tournaments in prison became a reality thanks to the enthusiastic participation of Grace Church Bath Campus. Identical events were held on different days at Lorain Correctional Institution and Grafton Correctional Institution. Each prison fielded two teams while Grace brought in two teams of eager volunteers for each tournament…

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A Needed Experience for Me

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A Needed Experience for Me

Character Development at Trumbell Correctional, taught by Chaplain Mark Stradiot, is having a huge impact on our clients. Here’s what they’re saying: “I’ve been attending Character Development for some time now, and it’s been amazing. I’ve been learning how to have a relationship with God and how to be a better man and father. I’m so blessed to be part of this program. I enjoy learning about God and how to follow our Lord Jesus Christ in love, humility, patience, and peace. I pray that more brothers will join this class so we can fellowship together.” -Inmate McKale “This Christian Character Development program has inspired me to examine my actions in the light of Christ. I want my example to show people that I follow Jesus and not the devil. The program itself is a blessing. Mark, our instructor, is a Godsend…

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All Things are Possible

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All Things are Possible

Taught by Chaplain David Hill, Celebrate Recovery provides resources and relationships that open the door to a new way o(f life. This Christ-centered ministry is for anyone struggling with hurts, habits, or hang-ups affecting their own lives or the lives of those around them. Based on the 12-Step Program and Eight New Testament Beatitudes, Celebrate Recovery provides a biblical model for life. “Pastor David is a great teacher and mentor here at Stark Regional Community Correction Center. He touched my life in such a short time. I finally believe Jesus…

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Filled with Joy in the Spirit

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Filled with Joy in the Spirit

Long time partner of True Freedom Ministries and owner of Impact Records in Nashville, the Mintz family graciously brought professional recording artist Tyler Conti to Grafton Correctional Institute for an unforgettable performance. This very special Christian concert included a surprise steak dinner for 180 inmates, also generously furnished by the Mintz family. True Freedom’s Executive Director, Mike Swiger, opened the event in prayer. David Mintz then spoke about his TMG Cares foundation. Nobody left hungry, and hearts were filled with joy in the Spirit. For the past three years, inmates at Grafton have been able to participate in Warden…

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Hungry for the Word of God

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Hungry for the Word of God

I will always remember a certain paralegal at Lorain Correctional. He is serving 31 years in prison for murder with a gun at the age of 17, on the mean streets of Cleveland. When I met him, he was 31 years old. A phenomenal student, this man earned his degree during his prison sentence. His knowledge of Ohio Law was impressive! Inmates came to the library asking specifically for his legal counsel. Hearing about my weekly Bible study from other inmates, he started to come to class, sitting quietly in the back row. In time, he accepted Christ and would study the Bible with the same…

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No Longer Hopeless

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No Longer Hopeless

At Grafton, an inmate-led class is helping men gain confidence. Having given up on solving the Rubix Cube years ago, most assumed it was impossible for them. However, old patterns of thinking are changing. Using the “chunking” method, residents are learning to accomplish difficult goals, one step at a time. Inmates Brian Wilson and Cody Joliff lead this unique class, teaching students that life can resemble this colorful puzzle; no matter how mixed-up things get, God can help us put the pieces back in order. Inmates are asked to reflect on their feelings, before and after conquering the cube. They are encouraged to embrace the fact that, with God…

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God’s Timing for Women’s Ministry

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God’s Timing for Women’s Ministry

Patience is hard for humans. Yet God is so good, so patient, with us. He teaches us, again and again, to yield our plans to His will, His timing. Then He reliably exceeds our expectations with His abundance. This is the recent story of True Freedom’s Women’s Ministry. We’ve been waiting on the Lord with a longing to expand our programming to incarcerated women. Now, in 2024, God is opening the floodgates! Amazingly, in keeping with our hearts’ desire, Jesus has given us…

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It Makes Us Feel Like We Matter

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It Makes Us Feel Like We Matter

Stark Regional Community Correction Center (SRCCC) houses inmates incarcerated for chemical, alcohol, and abuse charges from Stark, Summit, and Tuscarawas Counties. TFM is new to this institution, and we have strategically chosen programming to best serve its population. We praise God that our work here is gaining momentum. Currently, we are facilitating two Character Development classes. We also offer two sections of Celebrate Recovery, for which three of our staff members received in-depth training. One female client shared, “We just love that you take time out of your week for us and how the programming is so different. It makes us feel…

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2,179 Bars of Soap…

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2,179 Bars of Soap…

Cleveland is the poorest big city in the United States. In 2023, TFM’s Homeless Ministry was privileged to distribute many things our neighbors need to face the cold, like 497 winter hats, 523 pairs of gloves, and 1,432 pairs of socks. We also gave away 944 toothbrushes, 424 toothbrush cases, 1,307 tubes of toothpaste, and 374 dental floss kits. Additional items supplied to men’s and women’s homeless shelters included 314 pairs of men’s underpants, 320 hand and foot warmers, 2,179 bars of soap, 412 bottles of shampoo, 1,124 razors, 120 cans of shaving cream, 485 bottles of body lotion, 341 bottles of hair conditioner, 435 containers of deodorant, 1,189 baby diapers, 224 wash cloths, and 102 towels. We praise God for letting us be the hands and feet of Jesus. Please pray that those blessed by these items would come to know the Savior…

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Ongoing Transformation

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Ongoing Transformation

Bill Holko launched a rigorous 21-week Bible study in the Book of Romans for 12 men. Using a guide written by John Stott, which incorporates factual, interpretation and application-based questions, the class is being very well received by the participants.

“Bill Holko’s most recent Romans study is revealing, convicting, and enlightening. Over and over, my heart, mind and spirit have experienced renewal. The love of God through His Son, the power of the Gospel…

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Accepted, Saved, and Free

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Accepted, Saved, and Free

- By Jordan Kisabeth
When I was at the GRC camp, I tried repeatedly to get into the dog program. At every turn, I was denied due to the presence of violence in my case. Then, at the end of 2020, after 14 months of trying and praying, God intervened. He put the right people in my life and put me in the right place at the right time. I was granted an exception and entered the program. While the comfort, therapy, and unconditional love of the dogs was a blessing, something even better was coming. In 2021 I began caring for Oliver, an adorable Shih Tzu with an underbite only a mother could love. His owner? Mike Swiger. Shortly thereafter…

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True Freedom and Prospera Experience Exponential Growth in 2023!

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True Freedom and Prospera Experience Exponential Growth in 2023!

By every metric used in prison ministry and reentry, 2023 was an unprecedented year of growth for both organizations. While the number of services and programs offered by True Freedom increased by 52%, attendance in these programs more than doubled to 40,701! First time professions or rededications were also up by 86%! We served over 18,500 hot meals to the homeless on the streets of Cleveland. Here are the actual numbers…

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True Freedom makes you feel like you're human and not an inmate

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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

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Mike Swiger

True Freedom Ministries is a non-profit organization dedicated to reaching people in jails and prisons, the homeless, the elderly in nursing homes, and those trapped in addiction, in Ohio, with the message of the true freedom that is found only in Jesus Christ.

What our clients are saying

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What our clients are saying

“True Freedom Ministries has been a true life-changer. From God’s Word through Bill Holko I learned what it means to step up into manhood. I am currently taking two more classes, which are just as good as the first. True Freedom has given me multiple tools to strengthen my relationship with Jesus.” –Chris Folta

“True Freedom’s Alpha class helped me understand the relationship I should have with Jesus and the reason behind the things he did for us all. I understand the Bible a lot better and like to hear how people in my class feel about certain topics.” –Khamray Bonner…

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Always There For Me

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Always There For Me

By Clifford “Sonny” Belden
True Freedom Ministries has always been there for me during my time in prison. In 2022, I was ready to go home. When I went before the parole board, I had all the votes I needed to be released. Then they reversed their initial decision and detained me for five more years. This was a great mental and emotional struggle. Mike Swiger and the members of True Freedom really helped me get through that difficult time. I don’t know what I would have done without their support. As far as programming…

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