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 developing a fantastic acreage just outside Hopkinton, Iowa.
As part of development, one of our first orders of business is 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, prayer, and retreat. Focused on adults, we anticipate solitude retreats, small group retreats, and pastoral coaching for pastors, missionaries, ministry workers, church groups, mission-minded executives, leadership teams, executive teams, couples, and families. Cypress Hollow will also be home to our signature group solitude retreat, Deep Woods Immersion.
Personal Solitude Retreats
Individuals and couples can get away for self-guided or director-coached solitude retreats.
Small Group Retreats
Lodging and meeting space will be available for small groups, teams, and families.
Pastoral Coaching
Biblical pastoral coaching will be available for Cypress Hollow guests.
Mentored Residential Internships
Through our Project Groundwork ministry, opportunities will exist for young people to learn skills, contribute to ministry, and grow in the Lord under the guidance of mentors.
Location
Cypress Hollow
3162 280th Avenue
Hopkinton, Iowa 52237
15 min north of Monticello
45 min southwest of Dubuque
1 hour northeast of Cedar Rapids
1 hour east of Waterloo
Planned Facilities
We anticipate offering primitive, rustic, and modern facilities for individuals, families, and groups. In addition to a variety of lodging options, we anticipate an indoor chapel and meeting space, an outdoor chapel, a fishing pond, and several miles of walking trails.
Cabins
Modern cabins, rustic cabins, and off-grid primitive hermitages will be available to suit a variety of guest preferences.
Campsites
Primitive camping sites will be tucked away in quiet parts of the timber, and a handful of RV sites will be offered as well.
Lodge
The lodge will consist of meeting space, lodging rooms, a kitchen and dining area, a library and reading room, and smaller meeting spaces.
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 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 2026
This phase will consist of the acquisition of a large acreage of mixed timber and prairie in a secluded location in Eastern Iowa.
Phase 2: Develop, 2027-2028
This phase will consist of development of the property to prepare it for ministry use.
Phase 3: Launch, 2028 and Beyond
This phase will consist of continued developing while operationally launching our suite of ministries.
