By His Design Ministries

Become Fans & Friends of BHDM on Facebook!

jasonloveless — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:25:30 +0000

Hi Friends,

In an effort to get the word out about the work Christ is doing through By His Design Ministries, we’d like to invite you to become a fan of By His Design Ministries on Facebook! Additionally, please join the Girls Getaway and Warrior Week groups we have set up there as well. If you type in “By His Design Ministries”, “Girls Getaway” or “Warrior Week” in the Search box in the upper right hand corner of your Facebook Home Page, you’ll find us. Just click to “Become a Fan” of BHDM and to “Join” the GG and WW groups, and track us that way too!

Have a great week!

Blessings,

Jason

Meet Matt Wiskur, Director

jasonloveless — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:53:56 +0000

11 Random Things About Matt Wiskur:

1. I married up big time! (See Meredith Wiskur) Wow!!! Thank you God! We have produced, to our credit, two amazing daughters whom I love with all my heart.

2. My favorite adolescent times were spent on my Suzuki 185 – 4 wheeler. Thanks to Todd, Randall, David, David, and Martin for all the fun on our track.

3. I was once a Groceryworks Dotcommer. Played 3rd base on the softball team. Bought the t-shirt.

4. Willie Wilson, of Kansas City Royals greatness threw me a MLB ball in the ceterfield stands of Arlington Stadium. Still have it.

5. My other car is a 1999 Ford Windstar…IT REALLY IS!

6. My youngest daughter Lilly calls me “Bull” and feeds me Scooby-Snacks.

7. Meredith led me to Christ (while she was my girlfriend), when I was 17 years old.

8. I am a fan of the sport, and coach my athletically gifted oldest daughter Avery in basketball and softball.

9. I am a college student once again. I aspire to be a Math or Spanish teacher one day…or maybe both…I don’t know just yet.

10. I like steak; snow cones; not being too serious about myself; camp fun; duct tape on the ceiling tiles; Sno-balls, crushed tomatoes in blow-up baby pools; hand-sized rainbows; crash-test dummies; people who can laugh at me, then themselves, then me, then themselves, etc.

11. All my favorite movies are non-sensical with goofball comedy antics.

Email Matt at matt@byhisdesignministries.org

Parent Meeting (Save the Date) 7/11/10

jasonloveless — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:45:15 +0000

Our 2010 Summer Camp Parent Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, July 11th, at Chase Oaks Church in the Legacy Room from 3PM to 4PM. The information we will cover at the meeting will be much the same as what is listed below from last year’s meeting. This is a wonderful time for parents to meet their camper’s counselors and camp directors, medics & nurses, as all will be in attendance. If you have any outstanding camp tuition balances, those monies will be due at that time.

Here is the information we will go over at the 2010 parent meeting in PDF, Please read over the information and get back to us if you have any questions.

CHECK IN MAP

One of the documents is a rough map of Chase Oaks and a description of where you will drop off luggage, medications and camper check-in on the morning of check in.

CAMP LETTER WRITING

The Camp Letter Writing 101 sheet has the address of each camp so you can write letters. We also ask that you write a letter ahead of time and drop it off with your child’s Counselor the day of check in so they will have a letter that next day.

YOUR CAMPER’S MEDICATIONS

Medications need to be in a ziplock bag in their prescription bottles with the campers name and grade. We will provide all over the counter medications that we had listed on the medication form. All medications, even vitamins need to be checked into the Medic or camp Nurse. The only exception is an inhaler for asthma and then the Medic or Nurse still need to know that the camper has it with them.

CAMP FACILITY RELEASE FORMS

Each rental facility location where we hold camp has their own release forms they need completed. Please print your camper’s respective forms, complete and turn in.

GIRLS GETAWAY – Jan Kay Ranch Release Form

WARRIOR WEEK – Forest Glen Springs Release Form

PACKING FOR CAMP

We also suggest that you pack your campers outfits (shirt, shorts, underwear, socks) in a large ziplock bag, one for each day, to make dressing easy for your camper. This is especially good for the younger campers.

2010 Girls Getaway Packing List

2010 Warrior Week Packing List

Please DON’T FORGET TO LABEL EVERYTHING!! Even toothbrushes, hair brushes, towels, sunscreen, cameras, towels, shoes, underwear, shirts, shorts….are you getting the idea. You would be surprised at how kids do not recognize the towel they brought from home or their socks!

GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR CAMPER’S COUNSELORS

Please pray for your child’s counselors while they are away at camp. We’ve also attached a form that gives a few ideas for how you can thank your counselors when they return. This is an all volunteer counselor staff that we want to shower with praise!

OTHER COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you are the parent of a first time camper, we know that your head may be swimming with numerous questions! We want to help answer your questions and concerns to the best of our ability. For starters, here is a listing of Commonly Asked Questions.

We look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks with your camper(s). You will be getting a call from your child’s counselor before camp and they will be happy to answer any questions you have, but feel free to email with any questions as well.

Meredith email: meredith@byhisdesignministries.org

Jason email: jason@byhisdesignministries.org

Meet Ellen Loveless, Director

jasonloveless — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:46:47 +0000

11 Random Things About Ellen Loveless

1. I am competitive and don’t like to lose. It was problematic for me to throw Connect Four games with my children when they were little.

2. Due to an extensive surgery at age 16, I have lovely titanium hardware in my jaw. It includes: 16 screws, 2 metal plates and 2 wires. I don’t really feel my bottom lip as a result of the surgery. That said, if you ever see me with food on my lip while I’m eating – please try not to point and laugh or make up nicknames (no, I do not particularly care for Professor Numb Chin or any derivative of that name ).

3. I love being a mom to Lauren & Dylan. I praise God for choosing me to be their mother. They are both so incredible! I have the sweetest dog ever named Sully. He is child #3.

4. My favorite drink is a Route 44 Cherry Vanilla Diet Coke from Sonic.

5. My socks almost never match each other. Additionally, if I don’t have any of mine clean, I grab Jason’s (much to his dismay).

6. I am a walking calendar savant. I can tell you both when stuff is and what day it is on. It weirds out my co-workers just a little. I also have the ability to remember phone numbers extremely well and can still tell you the number for Olive Garden in College Station, TX from my time in Aggieland.

7. I love being the Elementary Director at Chase Oaks Church.

8. I got my first car for Christmas in 1988 when I was 16. It was a 1983 blue Honda Prelude. I would sometimes drive around with the heat blasting and sunroof open.

9. I have a degree in Speech Communications from Texas A&M. While a student there, I met my wonderful husband Jason. I am so thankful for the love, leadership and laughter he brings to our family.

10. I am double jointed in my elbows. This came in handy when I needed to give my children their sippy cups in the car when they were sitting right behind the driver’s side. It has also come in handy when I wanted to gross my husband out.

11. I love Jesus! I love that He loves me and wants to use me for His glory.

Email Ellen at ellen@byhisdesignministries.org

Meet Meredith Wiskur, Director

jasonloveless — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 10:49:41 +0000

11 Random Things about Meredith

1. My husband is my high school sweetheart. We met when I was a Junior and he was a cool Senior. He took me to El Chico and to see Edward Scissor Hands…yikes, that was a long time ago!

2. I was run over by a car….by my SISTER! I survived.

3. I secretly would like to be an actress, but I guess the secret is out now.

4. My first car was a gold Toyota Cressida with a sunroof and a kickin’ bass. I had it for about a year before it was totaled. Not my fault though, I was hit broadside by someone who ran a red light going 50 mph. That was the year that I truly realized my faith in God.

5. I have two beautiful little girls who say I celebrate too much when I win at UNO.

6. I am a Registered Nurse. I never in a million years thought I would want to do anything medical until my senior year of high school. I love what I do!!

7. I was in Drill Team when I was in High School. I still remember our kick routine, but don’t ask me to perform it for you, it wouldn’t be pretty.

8. I grew up spending my summers in Cuchara, Colorado. I love the Mountains in the summertime, especially in August when it’s 100 degrees here in Texas.

9. I love planning surprises but I don’t like being surprised. I recently realized that my youngest daughter is a lot like her momma!

10. I wrote a children’s story about Grace the Pocket Mouse…it hasn’t been published, but we used it one year at camp.

11. I LOVED girls camp when I was young. I was a camper 1^st through 6^th grade and then went on to be a junior counselor. It had a huge impact on my life and I am blessed to be able to share it with other young girls. My hope is that their lives will be changed because of it too.

Email Meredith: meredith@byhisdesignministries.org

Other Websites

jasonloveless — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 10:38:35 +0000

http://www.simplysharejesus.com

http://www.evantell.org

http://www.inyou.org

http://www.christislifeministries.com

http://www.liveinfreedom.org

http://www.spanglerdad.com

http://www.epicreality.com

http://www.belmontfoundation.org

http://www.rmdk.com

http://www.mensfraternity.com

http://www.buildingmenandwomen.org

http://www.ransomedheart.com

http://www.abbafather.com

http://www.abidinglife.com

http://www.womenoffaith.com

http://www.lproof.org

http://www.biblegateway.org

http://www.probe.org

Other Books

jasonloveless — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 02:58:21 +0000

Season of Life by Jeffrey Marx

Healing The Masculine Soul by Gordon Dalbey

The Silence of Adam by Larry Crabb, Don Hudson & Al Andrews

Wild At Heart by John Eldredge

Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge

The Way of the Wild Heart by John Eldredge

Raising A Modern Day Knight by Robert Lewis

Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson

The Confident Woman by Anabel Gillham

Girls! by William Beausay II

Boys! by William Beausay II

It’s Better To Build Boys Than To Mend Men by S. Truett Cathy

Waking The Dead by John Eldredge

Free At Last by Tony Evans

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

The Gardener’s Love by Michael Wells

Meet Jason Loveless, Director

jasonloveless — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 11:57:05 +0000

Eleven Random Things About Jason Loveless

1. I love playing air hockey. I’m not as aggressive as I used to be, but pulled a muscle in my arm from playing my new bride Ellen on our honeymoon. We were so into it that we drew a crowd of boys and girls to see who would win.

2. I’m married to my best friend. I love to make her laugh. Ellen has an awesome laugh, that then cracks me up – vicious cylcle. I also love being a somewhat goofy dad for my wonderful kids, Lauren & Dylan. Laughing has always been a central ingredient of our family dynamic!

3. My first car was a ‘Vette. A sweet 1976 nuclear green Chevette. I bought it off my English teacher, Mr. Pat Daly, for about $400 bucks. It cam complete with “I Love Teaching” and “M Go Blue” bumper stickers. I had it for exactly 11 days before I totaled it.

4. I love backpacking, but don’t go as much as I’d like to. Got my first taste of it on a few cool treks at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimmaron, NM, and have since done trips to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado; Northern Arkansas; and most recently the Grand Canyon (not all of it, but down to the Colorado River at the bottom and back up!).

5. I’ve had the honor of jumping out of perfectly good airplanes and helicoptiers with the Texas Army National Guard. I would love to go sky diving someday too. I would do it in a heartbeat, however, Ellen would rather I wait until Lauren & Dylan are grown and married off first. So, while I may be really old when I go, I will do this.

6. I have a healthy dose of arachnophobia.

7. My most embarrassing moment that I remember is spitting over the balcony of a motel we were staying at for a small town wedding. My spit landed right on the hood of a car below. There were four people about to get into the car that saw it happen…then saw me. I acted as if nothing happened. Thirty minutes later, we ran into them at the wedding rehearsal – they were in the wedding party (small town – who knew?). I apologized finally, but know they were talking about me the rest of the weekend. Lessons Learned: Look before you spit, and own up to your mistakes quickly.

8. In a very interesting way, I have my grandfather to thank for meeting my wife Ellen at Texas A&M. He, along with a handful of other men, was on President Gen. Earl Rudder’s secret committee that decided to allow women to be admitted to A&M. Thank you O.D.!

9. Whataburger is my favorite fast food joint on the planet. Number 5 Bacon Cheeseburger combo with Sprite. I’m attracted to it like a moth to flame, unfortunately.

10. In the “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” game, I am three degrees out from Kevin. Goes like this: I met Lyle Lovett backstage at a concert; Lyle Lovett used to be married to Julia Roberts; Julia Roberts was in a movie “Flatliners” with Kevin Bacon. Those who know me, are now only 4 degrees away from Kevin. That and $5.34 will buy you your favorite Venti coffee at Starbucks.

11. Jesus Christ is by far my favorite Super Hero. I have a blast telling our campers about Him!

Email Jason: jason@byhisdesignministries.org

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History

admin — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 22:21:24 +0000

In 1976, a group of women at Reinhardt Bible Church in Dallas, TX started a weeklong summer camp for the girls who had been attending the Wednesday night programming. What they begun was a legacy of wonderful memories, life long friendships, and a deeper relationship with the Lord for hundreds of girls. We doubt they knew the impact it would have, and continue to have for decades. Ellen (Reaves) Loveless and Meredith (Addington) Wiskur were two of the campers along the way.

Fast forward to 2003 – As Ellen’s oldest, Lauren, approached camp age, she wanted the same experience for her daughter. She enlisted Meredith, who had equally fond memories, and two daughters of her own who would be impacted. The two of them revived and revamped the camp from their childhood. During this same 2003-2004 timeframe, the Lord was stirring in the hearts of their husbands too. Jason was gripped by Wild At Heart and Healing the Masculine Soul and motivated to build into the lives of boys. Along the way, Matt and Jason were developing a strong friendship through their wives’ camp involvement.

After experiencing and seeing the impact of camp in the campers, counselors, and in their own lives, Ellen and Meredith suggested to their husbands that they create a boys version of camp. This was confirmation of what God was doing in the men’s hearts. Jason and Matt fully agreed and decided to take the plunge! In 2005, the Lovelesses and Wiskurs co-founded By His Design Ministries, Inc., the umbrella ministry to Girls Getaway and Warrior Week.

Girls Getaway has been operating since 2003 and Warrior Week since 2006. In the spring of 2008, By His Design Ministries, Inc. became a 501(c)3, non-profit ministry in the State of Texas.

As we’ve heard the call of “Follow Me” and taken the step of faith, we have watched Jesus do some awesome things in us and through us. He has drawn us closer to Himself and to one another – as friends and spouses – as we’ve walked with Him in this adventure. We count it a real blessing to be used by Him in this way. We want to thank Him, along with all of our friends and family who have supported this vision of impacting young lives for Christ.

We look forward expectantly to see what the Lord will continue to do through By His Design Ministries and hope that you’ll join us in the journey!

How to Give

jasonloveless — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:00:15 +0000

Online Giving

If you donate online to By His Design Ministries, it is important for you to know that your personal information is secured by PayPal. PayPal protects your financial information with industry-leading security and fraud prevention systems. When you use PayPal, we will never see your financial information. PayPal protects and keeps confidential all of your financial information. Once your payment is complete, a receipt for your transaction will be sent to you by e-mail.

Periodic Support

You may give either one time gifts or periodic gifts through online giving. If you would like to give a one time or periodic gift please click the following button.

Ongoing Support

Would you like to become a member of our support family?

By His Design Ministries is also supported by individuals who feel led to provide ongoing financial support to this ministry. If you would like to become a part of our support family and give online, one option you have is to give on a monthly basis. If you would like to give to the ministry on a monthy basis please click the following button.

$10 Monthly Gift

$25 Monthly Gift

$50 Monthly Gift

$100 Monthly Gift

Contributions By Mail

If you would like to send a contribution by check or money order,
please mail your contribution to:

By His Design Ministries, Inc., 225 Crepe Myrtle, Murphy, TX 75094

Financial Policy

By His Design Ministries is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Gifts to the organization are deductible as charitable contributions for Federal income tax purposes. By His Design Ministries is not affiliated with or underwritten financially by any denomination, missions board, or other agency, and we receive no funds from these sources. By His Design Ministries is a faith ministry supported by investments in God’s work from individuals like you. Thank you for prayerfully considering giving to God’s work through this ministry.