The Sycamore Creek Story

Fueled by a passion for marriage and family, Mike and Lisa established Sycamore Creek in 2015. Sycamore Creek’s mission is to create a wholesome space that fosters authentic connections and meaningful moments. Having experienced brokenness in their homes growing up, and leading a marriage enrichment class in their church for 10 years, Mike and Lisa developed a tenderness toward the importance of healthy families and the positive impact thriving families have on children as well as the culture.

The vision for Sycamore Creek came to Lisa during a time of prayer the week before they moved to Branson from their happy and long-time home in Kansas City. The idea was far outside the realm of anything they had done before so Lisa typed the idea up and saved it in a file on her computer. Six years later, they started talking to people about the vision and each day did at least one thing to move toward the vision whether that was simply a phone call, sending an email, or doing research.

The journey of developing Sycamore Creek has been full of overwhelming challenges as they have learned many new skills, battled weather from drought to heavy rains to an F-1 tornado two days before a wedding at the Heartwood Barn, suffered from an overwhelming population of destructive deer and armadillos (which led to nightly armadillo hunts), learned to accept farm animal disease and death, worked with wedding couples and their families during COVID, learned how much it takes financially to run a small business, and so much more! It has truly been an adventure and through it all God has provided in so many ways!

Mike and Lisa have truly enjoyed - and are grateful for - the moments that now live in their memories from interactions with lodging guests, barn dance attendees, Fall Roundup families, and wedding couples. Their hope is that through Sycamore Creek’s events and lodging experience people find beauty, respite, and joy, and parents are able to build a positive legacy that impacts their children for generations to come.

*While Sycamore Creek is a for-profit business, we wholeheartedly believe all of life is ministry. Our commitment to developing Sycamore Creek is rooted solely in our relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ as we are empowered by His Holy Spirit. Life with Him has always been a grand adventure! Sometimes good, often very challenging and difficult – but always a sweet and amazing adventure nonetheless.