NewLife Behavior Ministries
Family Upreach, Inc. (dba: NewLife Behavior Ministries) is a comprehensive program assisting offenders in the behavioral improvement of their lives as well as family members. NewLife Behavior Ministry is one of hope, reconciling persons to Christ, their families, and society. Dr. H. M. Motsinger (an educator and family therapist) joined a group of trained, Christian volunteers in a meeting with inmates in August 1984. Out of those class sessions came Course I – “A Sense of Self.”
Over an 18-year period Dr. Motsinger developed 8 courses in the “NewLife Behavior” curriculum - now implemented in 100+ prisons in 40+ states and 30+ foreign countries. In 1994 the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) endorsed its placement in all facilities. In 1997 NLBM was given the Governor George W. Bush Award as the “Best State Jail Program” in Texas. In 2018 NLBM received the prestigious Governor Greg Abbott’s “Restorative Justice” Award.
With early support and guidance of the Skillman Church of Christ (Dallas), Family Upreach, Inc. (DBA: NewLife Behavior Ministries) became a tax-exempt, non-profit organization in 1987. It functions under a board of trustees. Buck Griffith has been President of NLB since July 2002 when its central office was merged with Kings Crossing Prison Ministries, 3833 S. Staples Street, Suite S-101, Corpus Christi, Texas 78411.
Impressed by the structure and results of the New Life Behavior curriculum, TDCJ officials requested extending the program to families. A pilot effort was launched at the Michael Unit in 1993 with the help of Chaplain Bill Brewer. Wives were invited to study with husbands, integrating an essential facet of the offender’s behavioral modification - the family unit! Subsequently, the FamilyNet Series was added to the curriculum offered by NLBM.
NewLife Behavior Ministries researches, develops, publishes, and distributes life-changing curriculum. This means new courses are always being developed. NLBM does not have paid employees so 100% of its support goes directly into the ministry. A small one-time “license” fee is changed for unlimited life-time reproduction rights to each course. All NLB courses are in the process of being produced in an impressive student workbook format.
In 2000, the Christians Against Substance Abuse (CASA) course was added to combine efforts to magnify its impact inside and outside prisons. Today, there are 15 courses, including the Children’s Edition. One of the newer programs is VetNet which supplies NLB courses free to our military (active, reserve or veterans and families). Here is the complete list of current courses. All courses are available in English. Soon, all courses will be available in Spanish as well.
Course I: A Sense of Self
Course II: A Sense of Family
Course III: Parenting Matters
Course IV: True Freedom
Course V: Christian Marriage Skills
Course VI: The Christian Woman
Course VII: Attitudes and Behaviors
Course VIII: Christians Against Substance Abuse (CASA I)
Course IX: The FamilyNet Series
Course X: The Seeker Bible Study Series
Course XI: Prisoners of Christ
Course XII: Managing My Anger
Course XIII: Christians Against Sex Addiction (CASA II)
Course XIV: Managing My Dollar
Children’s Edition: A Sense of Self
The Board of Trustees for NewLife Behavior Ministries include: Jim L. Burrus, Donald Crofton, Linda Crofton, Lyndah Drum, Buck Griffith, Eric Jackson, Dave Olson, Barbara Tubbs, Craig Tucker, and Gary Wyder. There are currently 26 “Regional Directors” in 13 states. Regional Directors help spread the use of the NLB curriculum in their areas. They also recruit and train new instructors.
NLBM can be contacted at (361) 855-3372 and by email at: