True Freedom Ministries
Connection Newsletter - MAY, 2015
At last month’s Parma Area Ministerial Forum, we had the privilege of hearing from Mike Swiger, Executive Director of True Freedom Ministries, who shared information on the several resources and services that True Freedom provides to the greater Cleveland area and beyond.
Currently, True Freedom Ministries (TFM), an independent para-church ministry, is the largest Christian prison outreach in the state of Ohio, with access to every prison in the Ohio system (including clearance to death row inmates).
One of the services TFM provides to area churches is training to equip and empower people for prison-related ministries. Swiger indicated that there is a great need for more prison ministry workers. He also stated that only 9% of inmates that go through TFM programming have returned to prison after their release, a staggering contrast to the national average of 70%.
Aside from prison ministry, TFM also facilitates an effective homeless and drug-addiction outreach that is changing many lives and communities in our area. During the forum, Swiger indicated that heroin is an epidemic in our neighborhoods whether we see it or not. In fact, in 2014, heroin killed over 200 people in Cuyahoga County, including 5 in Parma and 3 in Parma Heights. Swiger said that these statistics reflect just a fraction of the real problem and admonished pastors to educate themselves on the signs and issues of heroin to better equip their ministries in identifying and helping addicts.
When asked what the recommended “first response” would be for helping a heroin addict, Swiger said, “Inpatient detox and programming (90 day minimum) is an absolute must.” He went on to explain that outpatient services are not as effective at addressing the issue during the early stages of recovery. After the detox period, however, outpatient care and accountability is critical and is generally necessary for the rest of the person’s life.
If you would like to contact Mike Swiger to learn more about True Freedom Ministries or to inquire about prison, homeless, or addiction recovery ministry training, please contact him at 216-202-3636 or at mike.swiger@truefreedomministries.net. You can also visit their website at www.TrueFreedomMinistries.net.
To catch a peek of the True Freedom Ministries, here’s a short video that showcases each of their outreaches:
