I have the opportunity to regularly go into the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center. There are five areas called “houses” where the youth stay. On Valentine’s Day we did something special for the girls in House 3! We were able to give each girl a flower and a chocolate bar. I made Valentine’s Day cards, which, on the inside, said, “You Are Special’ and “God Made You” along with Bible verses. The whole card unfolded, giving salvation-oriented Scripture verses, a paragraph entitled “Read This Before Praying the Prayer Below,” and “A Suggested Prayer for A Sincere Heart.” I was able to speak…

I was raised in church all my life and thought I had life figured out. That changed in 2018 when I was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison.  At the time, I thought my life was over, but prison would turn out to be one of my greatest blessings.

It started in Lorain Correctional.  That’s where I met Mike Swiger from True Freedom Ministries. Mike has a gift to teach, and the Lord used him to reprogram my mind with biblical truth in those weekly Bible studies.  After transferring to Grafton Correctional, I participated in TF’s offender-led technology computer courses, which equipped me for employment upon release.  Dave Wessel taught their ALPHA program, and that challenged me to…

In January 2018 I accepted the position as program aide for TFM’s Grafton Reintegration Institution location. This has been an honorable and rewarding endeavor. I’ve been privileged to work with distinguished individuals whom I hold in high regard. True Freedom Ministries has afforded me the opportunity to live out my ministry of reconciliation. Thanks to Mike Swiger, the late Gary Koly, Bill Holko, Tom Spernoga, Dave Wessel, Ted Wood, Mark Stradiot, and Don Talladino…

The impact True Freedom has had on my life is second to none, in regard to prison ministry. I was introduced to True Freedom early on in my incarceration when I was around 20 years old. At the time I considered myself a believer, but I struggled with believing the supernatural stories I read in the Bible. I was a big overthinker, and I questioned everything. Then one day my brother in the faith, Joseph Gray, invited me to a Bible study led by a guy named Mike Swiger. I initially had my reservations, but little did I know that this would be a pivotal moment in my walk with Christ…

At the Lorain Correctional Institution, the Bible study on Thursday mornings begins at 9:00 am. I normally arrive at 8:30 am, so I can participate in singing. The band consists of an excellent trumpet player, a guitarist, an organist, two great vocalists, and me. The praise and worship is powerful and majestic, preparing us all for a great time in the Word of God for the next hour and a half. At the end of the study, we close in prayer to a Mighty and Awesome King of Kings and Lord of Lords! I leave prison filled…

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Cleveland is the poorest big city in America, with 20,000 homeless people living on our streets. 33% of Clevelanders live in poverty while 50% of Cleveland’s children live below the poverty line. Because of your generosity, True Freedom can provide…

-By Matt Lewandowski
After my release from prison 15 years ago, I’m happy to report 9 years of sobriety. I attend Celebrate Recovery at a church in Rock Creek Ohio, and I regularly praise the Lord at Pentecostal Community in Jefferson, Ohio. Recently, I took a job as a medical driver, transporting cancer patients for treatment and kidney patients for dialysis. It’s good to give back…

My name is John Bragg, and I am originally from the Toronto, Canada area. I moved to Ohio in 1981 after meeting a woman from Brunswick, who later became my wife. Life seemed good; I drove semitrucks for a living and had my motorcycle. I was involved with a local bike club in the Cleveland area. Still, I didn’t feel happy, and I didn’t understand why. Before long, I found trouble, which eventually led me to a life sentence in prison. God wanted to…

This year I have had the opportunity to minister in several prisons. In addition to the facilities I regularly visit, I’ve also gone into Allen/Oakwood Correctional Institution (with Pastor David Hill), Dayton Correctional Institution (a women’s prison), Correctional Reception Center, and Pickaway Correctional Institution. Lebanon Correctional Institution and Marion Correctional Institution are also on my schedule, and I am trying to confirm entrance into Southeastern Correctional Institute and Belmont Correctional Institute. To summarize…

We have now completed two rounds of Christian Character Development classes at Indian River Juvenile Correctional Center in Massillon, Ohio. I point the guys to Christ and give practical tips for life. Eight young men have successfully completed the classes and received certificates! We also celebrated with a pizza party. We have recently started our 3rd round of this class. I will also be presenting this program to Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Detention Center in October for probable future programming there. Please pray that these young men will come to know Jesus Christ…

I met 5 boys ranging from 15 to 17 years old--all guilty of committing murder. To look at them, you would never expect it. One by one they shared their stories with me. These young men know they are looking at 25 to 30 years in prison. Every one of them asked for prayer. Every one of them now…

Maxine Lowe, True Freedom’s Director of Reentry Employment/Human Resources, currently facilitates a workforce development class at the Northeast Reintegration Center (NERC). Ladies are learning how to build resumes, apply for jobs, interview, dress for interviews, and resolve conflicts on the job. From God’s Word clients glean wisdom for character development…

By God’s grace, True Freedom sponsored the second annual “Yard Day” event at Grafton Correctional Institution. Executive Director Michael Swiger clearly articulated the Gospel in an open-air service. We brought in three outside teams (two comprised completely of Amish men) to play in a softball tournament against two prison teams. Last year, one of the Amish teams won…

On May 3, Bill Holko began another Bible study for 12 inmates at Grafton Reintegration Center. Using a study guide by theologian John Stott, the class moved verse by verse through the letters of 1, 2, and 3 John. Bill continues to be impressed by the dedication of participants and by the depth and transparency of classroom discussions…

As a young boy at the age of 8 years old, I was told that I had to find a part time job after school and weekends to supplement my family’s income. The year was 1943 and a world war was raging. I found work peddling newspapers, shining shoes, and mopping floors. I was a happy kid and loved work and helping my family. This work ethic lasted me all my life. At 18 years old…

I was incarcerated for 27 years and 27 days. I became active with True Freedom Ministries when Mike Swiger started a faith-based mentorship program in the Grafton Correctional Institution in 2008. It was a blessing to be part of that program, to see someone like myself, who had gone home and broken through barriers that seemed impossible. This was a big encouragement for guys like me. I am still in contact with the mentor that Mike assigned to me all those years ago.