Broken Chains Jail Ministry, Akron, Ohio

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Dennis & Tamela Shawhan and John & Debbie Wiseman

Broken Chains Ministry is a non-denominational missions organization headquartered in the Summit County Jail in Akron, Ohio. Their mission is to form relationships with those that are incarcerated, evangelize, disciple, equip and aid in re-entry of these individuals back into the community. Approximately 16,000 men and women from our community are incarcerated each year, 700+ men and women are incarcerated in this maximum security facility each day. Their goal is to help break the chains of recidivism through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Broken Chains Ministry acts as a liaison between the local churches and the jail to minister to incarcerated men and women and to disciple them through a disciplined workbook curriculum. Through one-on-one relationships, Broken Chains Ministry volunteers show the love of Jesus Christ and help to reconcile men and women to Christ, help them to mature in their faith, aid in re-entry needs and help them to find a church home upon their release.

Dennis & Tamela Shawhan are both ex-offenders and came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ as inmates in the Summit County Jail. Dennis in 1993, Tamela in 1999. After traveling to India on several short-term mission trips, preaching in prisons there, and serving in a volunteer capacity in the Summit County Jail, Dennis responded to the Lord’s call for full-time service in June 1998. After coming to know Christ and becoming part of a local church, Tamela met Dennis and they were married in 2003. Dennis served as Chaplain for a church-based ministry in the jail from 1998 -2003 and saw the vision to encompass more of the body of Christ to aid in the ministry there. Broken Chains Ministry was formed in February, 2004.

Tamela oversees the ministry to incarcerated women, aiding in the scheduling and hosting of ten local churches for Sunday Chapel services and women’s discipleship.

Dennis serves as the Director of the Ministry and oversees all ministry activities, has a
weekly Bible Study with male inmates, schedules and hosts Chapel services in the men’s Chapel, and directs all discipleship for men.

Contact Information:
Broken Chains Jail Ministry
P.O. Box 502
Akron, Ohio 44309
330.643.8663

email: dshawhan@brokenchainsministry.org
Check out their website at : www.brokenchainsministry.org

John & Debbie Wiseman. John’s responsibilities as project director include developing a business plan for their post-release facility, meeting with various churches, businesses, and individuals in regard to acquiring funding, and locating the right property for them to build on. He will then serve as overseer of the entire building process under the direction of the Broken Chains board of directors. He is also on a regular preaching schedule as well as leading Bible studies inside the Summit County Jail.

Debbie aids in the ministry to incarcerated women, participating in Sunday Chapel services and women’s discipleship. When the post release housing is in place, Debbie will assist in teaching and training women as they begin their fresh opportunity to live a Christ-centered life outside of the confines of jail or prison.

Contact Information:
Broken Chains Jail Ministry
P.O. Box 502
Akron, Ohio 44309
330.643.8663

Check out their website at: www.brokenchainsministry.org