Christmas in the Mountains began in 2018 as a God‑given vision placed on the hearts of two beautiful women in Christ, a calling to bring hope back to our little community.
Throughout the 2010s, stricter environmental regulations and a national shift toward natural gas brought a wave of corporate bankruptcies across central Appalachia. Martin County felt the full weight of this change. One by one, deep and surface mines closed for good, leaving behind widespread layoffs, shuttered operations, and families facing the loss of generations‑old livelihoods.
In the midst of this heartbreak, Linda Webb and Brenda Davis—sisters in Christ—saw and felt the spiritual heaviness settling over a town that had lost so much. They recognized the deep ache of a community struggling to find hope again. Moved by the Holy Spirit, they felt a tug to do something—anything—that might bring light back into a place that had grown physically and spiritually dim.
What began with just a few bushes wrapped in Christmas lights around the Martin County courthouse slowly grew into something far greater. With the faithful support of sponsors and volunteers over the years, Christmas in the Mountains has blossomed into a celebration filled with big, beautiful light displays, events hosted by local businesses and craftsmen, an ice-skating rink, and even a small carnival for the children.
It may not compare in size to the displays of larger towns, but to the people who call Inez home, it is a blessing. To be able to get in your car, drive just a short distance, and experience the sights and sounds of a joyful, Hallmark‑style Christmas is a true gift—especially for those who may never have the chance to see anything more extravagant. What started as a simple act of obedience has become a ministry of hope, reminding our community that even in seasons of loss, God still shines His light.