Our History
From a humble beginning,
a ministry was born
How a missionary couple, $15,000, and a providential "default" became 75+ years of serving God's servants.
The founding story
Every other bid was pulled
from the table. Theirs was the only one left.
In 1948, Dr. Robert and Estelle Dawson were missionaries with the Mexican Indian Mission who carried a particular burden: missionary families returning home on furlough had nowhere to go. No furnished home. No community. No soft landing after years of sacrifice on the field.
That year, they learned of a large parcel of land in Laurel Springs, New Jersey. The land was a former golf course property (72 holes!) that had gone bankrupt during the Great Depression and was now being sold by the bank holding it.
The Dawsons offered what they had: a small savings of about $15,000.
"Through God's special working, all other bids were removed from the table the day before the scheduled opening, leaving the Dawson's as the only valid one."
By "default" (but really through divine intervention) the property became theirs. For several years, the Dawsons farmed the land. From that farm income, and from the sale of portions of the property, Cedar Lane Missionary Homes took root and began welcoming its first missionary families.
What began with $15,000 and a heart for missionaries has grown into a ministry that has served over 600 families from more than 60 countries, all without a single denominational endowment, all sustained by the faithful generosity of God's people.
by the Dawsons
501(c)(3) nonprofit
served since founding
75+ years at a glance
The property is acquired
Dr. Robert and Estelle Dawson purchase the former golf course property in Laurel Springs, NJ, with their savings of about $15,000. Every other bid is pulled from the table the day before opening.
Cedar Lane is incorporated
Cedar Lane Missionary Homes is formally incorporated and granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status — independent of any denomination, foundation, or endowment.
Growth across the decades
Cedar Lane grows steadily, adding homes and expanding its capacity to serve missionary families from an increasing number of mission organizations and countries.
Final houses are added
The last few houses are completed on campus, all modular homes. These final residences finalized the "loop" around Cedar Lane.
Serving 600+ families and counting
Cedar Lane today operates 15 fully furnished homes serving missionaries from over 70 evangelical mission organizations in more than 60 countries, all funded by donors like you.
How Cedar Lane is sustained
No endowments. No denomination.
Just faithful people giving faithfully.
Cedar Lane is not funded by any denomination, group of churches, or foundation. It has no endowments or known outstanding bequests. Capital development funds are received only through designated giving.
God's people, both individuals and churches, generously provide regular support for staff and operational expenses. The monthly service charge that missionary residents contribute covers about 45% of what's needed. The remaining 55% comes entirely from donors like you.
Every missionary family that rests here is here because someone chose to give.
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Galatians 6:2 — The scriptural motto of Cedar Lane Missionary HomesBecome part of this story
Your gift of any size helps Cedar Lane continue what began with a $15,000 miracle and a prayer.