Founded by Matthew D. Wible in December 2010 Location: Waco, TX Motivating Verses: Matthew 13:24-46
Overview: Heart of Texas Field Guides is a 501(c)3, non-profit ministry. We offer Godly mentorship (Guides) to young men as they live in this world (which Jesus called the Field).
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Mission: To see young men develop covenant relationship with Jesus and become active in The Kingdom.
We desire to live out I Thessalonians 2:11-12, "For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory."
Field Guides uses the teaching of practical outdoor skills through monthly hunting or fishing trips, summer camps, and numerous other activities to employ relational discipleship. During those activities we strive to build relationships with young men. As those relationships naturally develop, we mentor young men to become genuine, Godly men as they live their lives in this world. Our goal is to help young men pursue God in all aspects of their lives.
Field Guides uses the teaching of practical outdoor skills through monthly hunting or fishing trips, summer camps, and numerous other activities to employ relational discipleship. During those activities we strive to build relationships with young men. As those relationships naturally develop, we mentor young men to become genuine, Godly men as they live their lives in this world. Our goal is to help young men pursue God in all aspects of their lives.
Meet Our Staff
Click on the pictures to learn more about our staff.
Matt Wible
CEO and Founder
Stu Abens
Vice President
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David Woodard
MEmber
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Travis Hill
Secretary
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Meet Our Volunteers
Click on the pictures to learn more about our volunteers.
Jonathan Seward
Volunteer |
Jimmy Stefka
Volunteer |
Chris Dickey
Volunteer |
Matthew D. Wible |
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Position: Founder of Field Guides (among other things)
Education: BA Speech Communication from Baylor University
Current Job: Field Guides
Hometown/Family: Born and raised in Waco. Most of my family lives here as well. Married to Dawn and have 3 boys (Levi, Jude and Titus)
When did you start with FG? Founded Field Guides in 2010 but have done outdoor ministry since 2007.
Your dream outdoor trip? My current dream would be a road trip where I could take a couple of weeks and fly fish through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.
Favorite Outdoor Memory: Growing up fishing the Navasota River with my family
Current Skill I'm Developing: Building custom fishing rods and tying flies
Favorite thing about FG: My favorite thing about FG is that it combines the two things I'm most passionate about, discipling young men and outdoor activities. Some other favorite things are seeing the guys have their "firsts" (first deer, first bird, first fish fly fishing, etc) and watching them develop into Godly men.
My heroes: My Dad and Grandpa
Other Activities/Interests: Trying to keep up with my wife and kids doesn't leave much time for anything else.
Education: BA Speech Communication from Baylor University
Current Job: Field Guides
Hometown/Family: Born and raised in Waco. Most of my family lives here as well. Married to Dawn and have 3 boys (Levi, Jude and Titus)
When did you start with FG? Founded Field Guides in 2010 but have done outdoor ministry since 2007.
Your dream outdoor trip? My current dream would be a road trip where I could take a couple of weeks and fly fish through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.
Favorite Outdoor Memory: Growing up fishing the Navasota River with my family
Current Skill I'm Developing: Building custom fishing rods and tying flies
Favorite thing about FG: My favorite thing about FG is that it combines the two things I'm most passionate about, discipling young men and outdoor activities. Some other favorite things are seeing the guys have their "firsts" (first deer, first bird, first fish fly fishing, etc) and watching them develop into Godly men.
My heroes: My Dad and Grandpa
Other Activities/Interests: Trying to keep up with my wife and kids doesn't leave much time for anything else.
Stu Abens |
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Position: Chief cook, bottle washer, prayer team, VP board of directors.... this means I have to pay attention at board meetings.
Current Job: own and operate SBT (Stu's bait n tackle) truck driver extraordinaire!
Hometown/Family: Osage, IA, youngest of 4, I have 7 kids, 3 grand kids. Prettiest wife you ever saw!
When did you start with FG? The very beginning.
Your dream outdoor trip? We do it when we go to Colorado! Rocky Mountain Lodge
Favorite outdoor/hunting/fishing memory: Witnessed my son Chris catch his first wild trout on a fly in the Canejos river, Colorado.
Current outdoor skill you are developing: Will be learning to build fishing rods.
Your favorite thing about FG: Quality time with the Lord and with quality young men, which of course includes us old guys!
Who are your heroes? Jesus, my father, brother, brothers in-law, family members and the men I serve with in ministry!
Other Activities/Interests: In addition to this youth ministry my wife and I volunteer with our youth group at church. I also enjoy serving as a deacon at our local church. Bucket list.... a live Packers game in Lambou field. Also catch a fish in all fifty states.... currently up to 11 states.
Current Job: own and operate SBT (Stu's bait n tackle) truck driver extraordinaire!
Hometown/Family: Osage, IA, youngest of 4, I have 7 kids, 3 grand kids. Prettiest wife you ever saw!
When did you start with FG? The very beginning.
Your dream outdoor trip? We do it when we go to Colorado! Rocky Mountain Lodge
Favorite outdoor/hunting/fishing memory: Witnessed my son Chris catch his first wild trout on a fly in the Canejos river, Colorado.
Current outdoor skill you are developing: Will be learning to build fishing rods.
Your favorite thing about FG: Quality time with the Lord and with quality young men, which of course includes us old guys!
Who are your heroes? Jesus, my father, brother, brothers in-law, family members and the men I serve with in ministry!
Other Activities/Interests: In addition to this youth ministry my wife and I volunteer with our youth group at church. I also enjoy serving as a deacon at our local church. Bucket list.... a live Packers game in Lambou field. Also catch a fish in all fifty states.... currently up to 11 states.
David Woodard |
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Position: I serve on the Board of Directors
Education: Associates Degree in Radiation Protection (Health Physics)
Current Job: Truck Driver for FedEx Freight
Hometown/Family: Waco, TX Married 30 years to Silvia Woodard, 6 children
When did you start with FG? In the beginning
Your dream outdoor trip? Backpacking in Denali, AK
Favorite outdoor/hunting/fishing memory: Too many to pick just one!
Current outdoor skill you are developing: Bow hunting
Your favorite thing about FG: Discipleship of young men
Who are your heroes? Jesus, Moses, William Wallace
Other info or activities you're involved in.
Other Activities/Interests: I enjoy fly fishing, backpacking, hunting, hammocking, good coffee, and meaningful talks around campfires.
Education: Associates Degree in Radiation Protection (Health Physics)
Current Job: Truck Driver for FedEx Freight
Hometown/Family: Waco, TX Married 30 years to Silvia Woodard, 6 children
When did you start with FG? In the beginning
Your dream outdoor trip? Backpacking in Denali, AK
Favorite outdoor/hunting/fishing memory: Too many to pick just one!
Current outdoor skill you are developing: Bow hunting
Your favorite thing about FG: Discipleship of young men
Who are your heroes? Jesus, Moses, William Wallace
Other info or activities you're involved in.
Other Activities/Interests: I enjoy fly fishing, backpacking, hunting, hammocking, good coffee, and meaningful talks around campfires.
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Travis R. Hill |
Position: Secretary of the Board of Directors
Education: AAS welding technology
Current Job: Welding instructor @ TSTC, Fab shop owner
Hometown/Family: West,TX married 8 yrs to Karen with our little boy Cooper
When did you start with FG? In the beginning
Your dream outdoor trip? Self-guided bow hunt for elk in Colorado
Favorite outdoor/hunting/fishing memory:
Any time had with my grandpa or first animal kills I've guided.
Current outdoor skill you are developing:
Dutch oven cooking
Your favorite thing about FG:Passing on skills and relationships I learned and see value in
Who are your heroes? My grandpa and my parents
Other Activities/Interests: Involved in a lot of welding related activities and knife making/blacksmithing
Education: AAS welding technology
Current Job: Welding instructor @ TSTC, Fab shop owner
Hometown/Family: West,TX married 8 yrs to Karen with our little boy Cooper
When did you start with FG? In the beginning
Your dream outdoor trip? Self-guided bow hunt for elk in Colorado
Favorite outdoor/hunting/fishing memory:
Any time had with my grandpa or first animal kills I've guided.
Current outdoor skill you are developing:
Dutch oven cooking
Your favorite thing about FG:Passing on skills and relationships I learned and see value in
Who are your heroes? My grandpa and my parents
Other Activities/Interests: Involved in a lot of welding related activities and knife making/blacksmithing
Jonathan Seward |
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Position: Volunteer
Education and current job: I received a master’s in Economics from Baylor 6 years ago and then worked as an Economic consultant until August 2016 when I decided to pursue a PhD in Health Services Research (also at Baylor). Additionally, I do a little statistical consulting on the side.
Hometown/family: I grew up in Waco and attended Midway High School. My wife, Heidi, is a professor in Business Communications at Baylor, and we have two kids.
When did you start with FG? 2011
Your dream outdoor trip? Going up to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (in Minnesota) in the summers with my wife. We do a combination of canoeing and portaging to get to a campsite and then spend the days fishing and exploring crystal-clear lakes, all in 70-degree weather.
Favorite outdoor/hunting/fishing memory: For outdoors, my favorite memory is the first camping trip I took with my wife. For hunting, it would have to be the first deer I downed. For fishing, it is one of my first fishing trips when I was little; my godfather took me trout fishing on the White River in Arkansas.
Current outdoor skill you are developing: I’m currently trying to figure out how to take an infant wilderness camping.
Your favorite thing about FG: I really like getting to know all of the guys and sharing in Christ-centered wilderness experiences with them.
My heroes: My dad has set a good example as a godly husband and father, and my godfather (also a godly husband and father) instilled a knowledge and love for fishing from a young age.
Other info or activities you're involved in. I really enjoy woodworking. I have built projects ranging in complexity from baby toys to a computer armoire. Each project has proven to have its own challenges in design and execution, and no project is ever finished without hiccups.
Education and current job: I received a master’s in Economics from Baylor 6 years ago and then worked as an Economic consultant until August 2016 when I decided to pursue a PhD in Health Services Research (also at Baylor). Additionally, I do a little statistical consulting on the side.
Hometown/family: I grew up in Waco and attended Midway High School. My wife, Heidi, is a professor in Business Communications at Baylor, and we have two kids.
When did you start with FG? 2011
Your dream outdoor trip? Going up to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (in Minnesota) in the summers with my wife. We do a combination of canoeing and portaging to get to a campsite and then spend the days fishing and exploring crystal-clear lakes, all in 70-degree weather.
Favorite outdoor/hunting/fishing memory: For outdoors, my favorite memory is the first camping trip I took with my wife. For hunting, it would have to be the first deer I downed. For fishing, it is one of my first fishing trips when I was little; my godfather took me trout fishing on the White River in Arkansas.
Current outdoor skill you are developing: I’m currently trying to figure out how to take an infant wilderness camping.
Your favorite thing about FG: I really like getting to know all of the guys and sharing in Christ-centered wilderness experiences with them.
My heroes: My dad has set a good example as a godly husband and father, and my godfather (also a godly husband and father) instilled a knowledge and love for fishing from a young age.
Other info or activities you're involved in. I really enjoy woodworking. I have built projects ranging in complexity from baby toys to a computer armoire. Each project has proven to have its own challenges in design and execution, and no project is ever finished without hiccups.
Jimmy Stefka |
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Position: Volunteer
Education: I have a 2 year degree from TSTC in Construction.
Job: Picking up side work while waiting to hear from future employers
Hometown: Edom "small town outside of Tyler" East Texas
When did you start with FG? 2014
Your dream outdoor trip? laying in a crop field surrounded by snow geese decoys and putting the hurting on some snow geese
Favorite outdoor memory: The first deer I killed in 2010 at the age of 14 from then on I was hooked
Current outdoor skills I am developing: the art of making knifes. Sharpening my skills with both firearms and my bow
My favorite things about field guides: getting to spend quality time in the woods and passing down my skills to the generation behind me coming up
My hero: My dad, he has set a wonderful example of what it means to be a man and to provide not only for himself but for his family as well
Education: I have a 2 year degree from TSTC in Construction.
Job: Picking up side work while waiting to hear from future employers
Hometown: Edom "small town outside of Tyler" East Texas
When did you start with FG? 2014
Your dream outdoor trip? laying in a crop field surrounded by snow geese decoys and putting the hurting on some snow geese
Favorite outdoor memory: The first deer I killed in 2010 at the age of 14 from then on I was hooked
Current outdoor skills I am developing: the art of making knifes. Sharpening my skills with both firearms and my bow
My favorite things about field guides: getting to spend quality time in the woods and passing down my skills to the generation behind me coming up
My hero: My dad, he has set a wonderful example of what it means to be a man and to provide not only for himself but for his family as well
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Chris Dickey |
Position: Volunteer
Education: Geology major at Baylor
Job: Labratory Technician
Hometown/Family: Grew up here in Waco, Texas
wife Jennifer of five years
When did you start at FG? 2015
Dream Outdoor Trip: A dream outdoor trip would be Peacock bass fishing in South America
Favorite outdoor/hunting/fishing memory: is fishing at my grandparents pond for big blue cats on rod and reel.
Current Skill Delveloping: Currently developing my bass fishing skills for tournament fishing.
Favorite thing about FG: The young men and boys enjoying the outdoors admiring all that God has created.
My Heroes: My heros are my grandfather's, also Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt, and John Muir
Other Activities/Interests: I fish with the Baylor college team and I am also involved with Antioch Community Church. It may not appear this way but I do enjoy hunting as well. I just don't get to go very often.
Education: Geology major at Baylor
Job: Labratory Technician
Hometown/Family: Grew up here in Waco, Texas
wife Jennifer of five years
When did you start at FG? 2015
Dream Outdoor Trip: A dream outdoor trip would be Peacock bass fishing in South America
Favorite outdoor/hunting/fishing memory: is fishing at my grandparents pond for big blue cats on rod and reel.
Current Skill Delveloping: Currently developing my bass fishing skills for tournament fishing.
Favorite thing about FG: The young men and boys enjoying the outdoors admiring all that God has created.
My Heroes: My heros are my grandfather's, also Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt, and John Muir
Other Activities/Interests: I fish with the Baylor college team and I am also involved with Antioch Community Church. It may not appear this way but I do enjoy hunting as well. I just don't get to go very often.
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