Photo: Teresa (left) and Mitch (right) Pennington pause for a picture during their hike, enjoying the scenic views of the surrounding landscape. The image was sourced from Just Plane Adventures.
Nestled in the scenic mountains of Medley, West Virginia, Heaven’s Landing Airstrip serves as more than an aviation hub. It is the center of Just Plane Adventures, a fly-in destination that combines aviation with Christian ministry and is run by Mitch and Teresa Pennington. Their mission goes beyond operating an airstrip as they aim to further the Body of Christ through aviation and marriage ministry.
A Vision Takes Flight
Founded in 1996, Just Plane Adventures is an extension of Visions Beyond Ministries, facilitating Christian retreats, marriage seminars and faith-focused conferences. The ministry began with the Penningtons' shared vision of building “homes on a solid foundation,” according to Mitch. “Jesus is the chief cornerstone,” the Penningtons said, explaining the guiding principle behind their work.
At the core of their ministry is the belief that solid marriages form the foundation for healthy families and faith communities. “One of the foundational things we did was marriage ministry,” the Penningtons said. They explained that many couples come to them carrying deep wounds, including from divorce, so they wanted to create a space where couples could rebuild and restore their relationships.
Mitch Pennington’s aviation journey began with a call to preach. Unsure whether to leave his job as an airline pilot, he sought advice from the head of the Alaskan Yukon Missionary Aviation. “He told me I’d be more effective staying in my job and preaching to people at work since most weren’t going to be in church anyway,” Mitch said. That advice shaped his approach to ministry, allowing him to reach people far beyond church walls.
A plane wing surrounded by clouds. Photo by Ross Parmly for Unsplash
Aviation as Ministry
What makes Just Plane Adventures stand out is its use of aviation as a tool for ministry. Mitch said in an interview that him and Teresa's shared love for flying turned into an unexpected yet effective way to reach people. “We came into different angles, and our love for aviation was one He could use to spark people’s interest, especially in the aviation field,” Mitch said.
The Penningtons are members of the International Association of Missionary Aviation and have opened their airstrip to missionary pilot trainees. These trainees develop critical skills, such as mountain flying and short grass runway landings. “Mentoring young pilots allows us to demonstrate that there’s something bigger and better they can do with their skills,” Mitch said. This combination of technical aviation training and faith-based mentorship is central to their ministry.
Living a Mission
For Mitch and Teresa Pennington, Just Plane Adventures is not just a business but a ministry focused on discipleship. Mitch explained that churches often create spectators rather than active participants in faith. “Unfortunately, churches often create spectators,” Teresa said, critiquing the passive role that many church structures encourage.
Their goal is to empower believers to live their faith actively in marriage, aviation, or daily life. “Jesus said, ‘My yoke is easy, my burden is light,’” Mitch said. He added that when people follow Christ’s path, “it becomes a lifestyle.”
Just Plane Adventures is a living example of how God can use ordinary passions to expand His kingdom. The Penningtons’ work, whether hosting retreats or training pilots, is centered around helping people encounter Biblical truth, apply it to their lives and carry it out to the world.
Aerial view of Heaven’s Landing Airstrip in Medley, West Virginia, home to Just Plane Adventures. Image sourced from Just Plane Adventures.
Building on a Foundation of Faith
Mitch and Teresa Pennington founded Visions Beyond Ministries to create a space for healing, discipleship and ministry. The ministry has grown from a marriage-focused initiative into a multi-faceted retreat, incorporating aviation and Biblical teachings. “Early on, we saw the need for building homes on a solid foundation,” Teresa said. “By that, we mean the foundation of the Word, where Jesus is the chief cornerstone.”
Their retreats offered these couples a chance to find healing and restoration. “We also ministered within our camp,” Teresa said, sharing how their work evolved into a place where people could seek healing beyond just marital counseling.
A Higher Calling: Aviation and Ministry
While the Penningtons’ marriage ministry provided the initial foundation, aviation became integral to their outreach. “Aviation was a tool to strike people’s interest,” Mitch said. “As a pilot, I had chances to witness one-on-one. Even at 42,000 feet, you have a captive audience.”
The Penningtons now offer their airstrip for missionary pilot training through partnerships with schools like the School of Missionary Aviation Technology. “We invite trainee pilots to use our airstrip for mountain flying,” Mitch said. “It’s a place where aviation skills and faith-based discipleship meet.”
Matea Damevski is coming up to her senior year at Fordham University. Her passion for journalism encourages her to seek information that is not right before your eyes and present it unbiasedly.
