-By Jay Caffee, Grafton Reintegration Center

The Character Development program is a 40-week class that consists of four modules, broken down into 10-week increments. Each module deals with 10 different values and ways to apply this knowledge to life. Each week the facilitator, Bill Holko, has one class member read aloud about the current value. Next, we have an open discussion, giving all the chance to express something from the text that stood out to them. We then complete a self-evaluation and action step. Every class member rates himself from 1-10 on how well he believes he displays the value, what benefits he believes he will obtain by raising his rating, and what specific action step he will take to grow. Additionally, he identifies a person in his life who demonstrate…

True Freedom Ministries sponsored a Final Four basketball tournament at London Correctional Institution. The prison fielded two teams while Grace Church (Bath campus) brought in two teams of eager volunteers for the tournament. The day started with two competitive games. During the lunch break, Executive Director Mike Swiger shared his amazing testimony and presented the good news of Jesus with all the teams. Everyone was touched. After lunch, third place was decided through the consolation game, and finally, it was time for the exciting championship game. London Correctional won the trophy! The Final Four tournament was a fantastic time of

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...