By the SWORD Ministries works inside the Bedford County jail, walks with men and women after they get out, and reaches kids before trouble starts — so they can become servant leaders in their own families and communities.
The ministry focuses on the incarcerated, those just released, and young people who are headed the wrong way — because that is where a changed life changes a whole family.
Chapel services, Bible studies and discipleship classes every week, plus easy-to-read NLT Bibles like this one, notebooks, hygiene items and Christmas services for men, women and staff. Many inmates are baptized before they ever walk out.
Former inmates and volunteers who now walk with others coming out. Men's groups, breakfasts, mentoring and practical help — a ride to work, a vehicle, a place to stay — so a man who got right with God inside isn't set up to fail outside.
Royal Rangers skating parties like this one, campouts and hands-on skills nights, plus youth nights where former inmates tell teenagers the truth about where the wrong friends and "just once" lead.
Everything below is run by volunteers and funded by local churches, businesses and individuals. Call Chaplain Dennis Dibert at 814-977-4523 to join any of it.
Chaplain Dennis Dibert and about 30 volunteers lead 16 classes a week inside the Bedford County Correctional Facility, including the Every Man A Warrior discipleship course, baptism classes, and holiday services that draw most of the jail population into the chapel.
Weekly, inside BCCFVolunteers and supplies go in through proper channels
Transportation, housing leads, referrals to Christian rehab, relocation for a fresh start, help with paperwork, and a car group that pairs donated vehicles with local garages so a released person can get to a job. Three vehicles have already been placed.
Ongoing, case by caseRequests are vetted by a committee
A monthly men's Bible study built around forging character — iron sharpening iron. Guest speakers, testimonies and straight talk about living out faith at home and at work.
Third Tuesday of the month, 6:30 PMManns Choice Church of God
"Come as you are, leave as you need." Open conversation guided by Scripture for men in every season of life — guidance, encouragement, accountability and support. Many regulars are former inmates walking out their new life.
Mondays, 6:00 PMIn One Accord Ministries (formerly Love INC), Bedford
A hot breakfast, a Bible lesson and a guest speaker — often a man who sat in the county jail and can tell you what changed. Open to anyone.
First Saturday of the month, 7 AMMike's Place, Clearville
Food, fellowship and faith for women, including wives, mothers and daughters of men the ministry serves.
Tuesdays, 6:30–8 PMActs Community Church · Amy Leydig, 814-585-3725
Campouts, skating parties, real-life skills and youth nights where former inmates share their stories. "What boys don't learn, men don't know."
Seasonal eventsOpen to youth and families
Ministry advocates share their stories at churches, schools, fairs and banquets across several counties. Invite a speaker for a service, a youth night or a men's event.
By requestEmail bytheswordministries@gmail.com
The ministry has been incorporated and tax-exempt since 2024, but the work inside the jail goes back five years. Here is some of what community giving has paid for.
men baptized inside the jail on a single Wednesday, after six hours of classes on what baptism means
of the jail population came to the four Christmas chapel services — with live worship, flavored coffee and 2,110 donated cookies
classes a week inside the facility, led by about 30 faithful volunteers
former inmates the ministry walked alongside in one typical week on the outside
people and 39 table sponsors at the 3rd annual fundraising banquet, with many new monthly pledges
vehicles placed with people coming out of jail, with seven local garages helping make them safe
inmates helped to relocate out of the area for a better chance at success
of NLT Bibles, composition notebooks and hygiene items brought inside, where a bar of soap is worth gold to someone with no one on the outside
How do you measure a ministry like this? By changed lives. These are a few of the people who now tell their story anywhere they're asked.
Are you walking your faith, or are you a couch Christian?
God is a Restorer. He brought me back to truth and purpose, and He had never stopped working.
Written by a woman inside the Bedford County jail and shared with the ministry the week before Christmas. The notebooks these words were written in are one of the simplest things your giving provides.
Every day I sit in my bunk, devouring the Word from Him.
I can't believe the freedom I feel, even behind these bars in prison.
…
Because in this prison I was freed and saved, through the precious blood of Jesus.
Owen Leydig shares his testimony with students at Everett High School
Chaplain Dennis Dibert preaching to The Forge men's group
Dennis and Owen present the ministry at Christian Light Fellowship
A letter from Chaplain Dennis and the team whenever there's something worth sharing — baptisms, testimonies, needs and answered prayers. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
Read past issues →
In September 2020, Dennis was asked to consider becoming the chaplain at the Bedford County Correctional Facility. His first thoughts were "I'm not ready" and "I'm not worthy." He took the call anyway, and he and his wife Kathy have carried it ever since.
What began as chapel services grew into something the jail walls couldn't hold: men getting out with a real faith and nowhere to put it. By the SWORD Ministries was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 2024, with a board for guidance and oversight, to manage the community's resources inside and outside the facility — and to make sure a person released on a Friday has somewhere to be on Saturday morning.
Dennis still preaches wherever he's invited, shows up at every men's breakfast, and answers his cell phone.
Every gift stays local and goes to Bibles, notebooks, Christmas services, fuel, car repairs, rent help and the small things that keep a changed life on track. Pick whichever way is easiest for you.
Secure, one-time or monthly, through PayPal. You don't need a PayPal account — a debit or credit card works.
Payable to By The SWORD Ministries Inc.
280 Lower Snake Spring RdMonthly pledges are what keep the ministry funded between banquets. Call 814-977-4523 or set up a recurring gift through PayPal.
By the SWORD Ministries Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Soap, lotion, deodorant and notebooks for the men and women who have no one on the outside to put money on their books. NLT Bibles are the easiest to read for the men and women inside. Order from the ministry's Amazon list and ship to the address at left — Dennis carries everything in through the proper channels.
A good used car with life left in it can break the no-job, no-car, no-license cycle for someone just released. Local garages, parts suppliers and notaries help get it road-ready.
Housing, daily transportation and employers willing to give a second chance are the ministry's biggest rehabilitation needs.
Lead a class inside, disciple a new believer outside, or lend a skill — video, newsletters, event planning and IT help are all on the list.
Bring a testimony of a changed life to your church, youth group or men's event.
The annual fundraising banquet seats eight to a table. Sponsors are listed in the evening's program. Pick a level to pay through PayPal.
Enter the sponsorship amount on PayPal and add "banquet table" in the note so your name is listed in the program.
Everyone is welcome. Make one of these part of your routine — weekly or monthly.
| When | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Monday6:00 PM | Men's group"Come as you are, leave as you need" | In One Accord Ministries, Bedford |
| 3rd Tuesday6:30 PM | The Forge men's groupMonthly | Manns Choice Church of God |
| Tuesday6:30–8 PM | Ladies Bible studyAmy Leydig, 814-585-3725 | Acts Community Church |
| 1st Saturday7 AM | Men's breakfastMonthly · guest speaker | Mike's Place, Clearville |
Times and locations occasionally change for holidays and special events. Check the Facebook page or call 814-977-4523.
Each spring the ministry gathers supporters for dinner, testimonies from former inmates and their families, and a keynote speaker. The third banquet drew more than 320 people.
Details for the next banquet are announced on Facebook and by mail. To reserve seats or sponsor a table, call Dennis at 814-977-4523.
Ask about the banquetPhone814-977-4523
Emailbytheswordministries@gmail.com
FacebookBy The SWORD Ministries Inc.
