Christians for the Mountains Night

April 14, 2007
Photos by Janet Keating

April 14 was Christians for the Mountains Night at the South Charleston Museum.

Before a showing of the groups latest film by B. J. Gudmundsson God's Gift of a Wild and Wonderful Land -- the audience was treated to gospel music from OVECs Tonya Adkins and John Kuhn provide gospel music prior to the premiere of "God's Gift of A Wild and Wonderful Land."

OVEC board member Larry Gibson and OVEC organizer both spoke before a showing of the groups other film, Mountain Mourning.  The "Mountain Mourning" DVD includes two short documentary-tours of Maria and Larry's homeplaces. Maria expressed her deep appreciation to B.J. and the Christians for the Mountains for helping to spread the word about the destruction of God's Creation caused by mountaintop removal/valley fills.  Larry spoke straight from his heart. His passion to save what is left of the ancient Appalachian Mountains was clearly evident. His story on the Mountain Mourning collection is likely to bring tears to your eyes.

Thanks so much to Steve Fesenmaier for organizing the event.

OVEC's Tonya Adkins and her singing buddy, John Kuhn provide gospel music prior to the premiere of "God's Gift of A Wild and Wonderful Land."

Allen Johnson, co-founder of Christians for the Mountains, welcomes attendees to the premiere of the new WV wilderness video as fellow co-founder Bob Marshall listens in.

B.J. expresses her appreciation for OVEC Board member and Mountainkeeper, Larry Gibson and Maria Gunnoe, OVEC community organizer--both who live daily with the horrors and heartbreak of mountaintop removal, yet devote their lives to ending the destruction of their homeplaces. Both Larry and Maria appear in two short films by B.J. on the "Mountain Mourning" DVD. (from left to right: B.J. Gudmundsson, Larry Gibson, Allen Johnson, and Maria Gunnoe).

A true Mountainkeeper, Larry Gibson, spoke straight from his heart having just returned from California. He's relentless in his passion to save what is left of the ancient Appalachian Mountains. His featured short on the Mountain Mourning collection is inspired and likely to bring tears to your eyes.

The beauty of the Pink Lady Slipper, a member of the orchid family, is just one more special reason to stand up for the preservation of wilderness.

The psalmist exalts the majesty of the Creator in His Creation--as "God's Gift of A Wild and Wonderful Land," encourages the viewers to join in asking for permanent protection of special wild places in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest. For more information check out ChristiansfortheMountains.org or call 304-799-4137.