Cypress Trees in Iowa?
Cypress Hollow will be a hidden sanctuary in Eastern Iowa set apart for people to seek the Lord God in quiet personal solitude and small group retreats. We are currently in the process of acquiring an acreage in the beautiful hills, plains, and timbers of Iowa farmland.
When we acquire the land for Cypress Hollow, our first order of business will be to plant a few stands of bald cypress trees at key locations on the property. These little cypress groves will serve as living, growing reminders of God's restorative work proclaimed in Isaiah 55: In place of the thornbush, the cypress will grow.
Cypress Hollow is intended to be a place for Christ-centered rest, reflection, and restoration. Focused on adults, we anticipate solitude retreats, small group retreats, and biblical counseling and coaching for pastors, missionaries, ministry workers, mission-minded executives, leadership teams, executive teams, church groups, couples, and families.
Personal Solitude Retreats
Individuals and couples can get away for self-guided or director-coached solitude retreats in modern cabins, rustic cabins, primitive campsites, or in our lodge.
Small Group Meetings & Retreats
Lodging and meeting space will be available for small groups, teams, and families.
Planned Retreats
Scheduled and themed group retreats, such as Deep Woods Immersion, will be periodically offered.
Pastoral Counseling & Coaching
Biblical and pastoral counseling will be available for individuals, couples, families, and groups.
Business Coaching
Experienced business leaders will offer coaching for mission-minded business executives and leadership teams.
Mentored Residential Internships
Opportunities will exist for young people to learn skills, contribute to ministry, and grow in the Lord under the guidance of mentors.
Planned Facilities
We are currently seeking to acquire a large acreage that can be set apart and developed to offer primitive, rustic, and modern facilities for individuals, families, and groups. In addition to a variety lodging options, we anticipate an indoor chapel and meeting space, an outdoor chapel, a fishing pond, and several miles of wooded walking trails.
Myrtle Center, our lodge
As our main guest building, Myrtle Center will consist of a chapel and meeting space, lodging rooms, a kitchen and dining area, a library and reading room, and smaller meeting spaces.
Modern Cabins
Up to twelve modern cabins are expected to be built, each with kitchenette, living space, bunk beds, and wood stove. Electricity will be provided, and the cabins will be served by a common bathhouse.
Rustic Cabins
Two or three rustic, one-room cabins will be scattered in the woods. Each cabin will be equipped with bunk bed, desk, chair, wood stove, and outdoor pit toilet. No water or electricity.
Stone Hut Hermitage
A small stone hut well off the beaten path will be intended for maximum solitude and will include a woodburning stove, chair, desk, cot, and candles/lantern.
Primitive Outposts
At least two primitive camping sites will be tucked away in quiet parts of the timber. Pit toilet, picnic table, and pavilion will be provided at each outpost.
Directors' Homes
Two houses will need to be built on the property, one for the program director and one for the land steward. Additionally, living quarters for the resident interns will need to be built.
Development Plan
We anticipate acquiring and developing Cypress Hollow in three phases. And we invite you to contribute to this effort to help us make this vision a reality.
We're trusting the Lord to make this happen, relying on His promise in Proverbs 16:9 - "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."
Phase 1: Acquire, Present through 2025
This phase will consist of a capital campaign to acquire a large acreage of mixed timber and prairie in a secluded location in the eastern half of Iowa.
Phase 2: Develop, 2025-2026
This phase will consist of a capital campaign to develop the property and prepare it for ministry use.
Phase 3: Launch, 2026-2027
This phase will consist of a capital campaign to operationally launch our full suite of ministries.
