Paper Planes Ministries

Our Mission

Our vision is to see children and families who are in need — wherever they are found — experience the love of Christ through safety, belonging, and consistent presence, breaking cycles of isolation, violence, and despair by meeting real needs with real relationships.

Our Story

Paper Planes Ministries exists because we believe the Gospel was never meant to stay inside church walls.

A packed Sunday night service at Paper Planes Kids — Sunday nights at Paper Planes Kids

Across America, many churches faithfully gather on Sundays — yet just outside those doors are children and families living with instability, violence, hunger, loneliness, and fear. We believe the Church is called to more than proclamation alone. We are called to presence.

Paper Planes was born from a conviction that the Gospel must be lived where people are, not just spoken where it is safe and convenient. That means going into neighborhoods others overlook, building trust where it has been broken, and showing the love of Christ through consistent relationships, shared meals, and practical care.

We are not a building or a program. We are people who show up — day after day — transporting children and teenagers to our Gospel services, hosting block parties, fixing bikes, feeding families, and creating spaces where kids feel safe, known, and valued. Through these relationships, we point families to Jesus — not as an idea, but as a living hope.

Our story is simple: when the Church goes to the hurting, the Gospel becomes visible. And we believe that is how communities are changed.

What We Value

Four commitments that hold everything together.

01

The Word of God

Without God's word our mission and ministry would be pointless. We will always value and follow the word of God above all else.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.Hebrews 4:12

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.2 Timothy 3:16

02

Generosity

"We make a living by what we make, but we make a life by what we give." — Winston Churchill

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.2 Corinthians 9:6–8

03

Community

Paper Planes sees the racism in the St. Louis area. We take equality and love in high regard to all people no matter the skin color, disability, or culture.

I appeal to you brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.1 Corinthians 1:10

04

Perseverance

We never give up on our ministry. Too many times there have been teams of people that have abandoned some of our most desperate communities. Paper Planes Ministries will not give up on what God has called us to do.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.Galatians 6:9

What We Do

Real needs, met with real relationships.

Every week, our team carries the love of Christ into Alton's neighborhoods. Here's how it takes shape on the ground.

Free Church Transportation · Every Sunday

Bus Ministry

We offer free church bus transportation every Sunday for select communities — picking up kids and youth right from their neighborhoods and bringing them home safe.

Sunday Departures Now boarding

Paper Planes Kids / K–5th

Godfrey Estates3:15 PM

Alton Pointe3:20 PM

Oakwood3:25 PM

Alton Acres3:35 PM

Hellrung Park3:45 PM

↩ Return approx. 6:15–6:45 PM

Paper Planes Youth / 6th–12th

Godfrey Estates5:15 PM

Alton Pointe5:20 PM

Oakwood5:25 PM

Alton Acres5:35 PM

Hellrung Park5:45 PM

↩ Return approx. 8:15–8:45 PM

Sign a waiver to ride →

Sundays at 4 PM · Roxana Gym, 400 S. Central, Roxana, IL 62084

Kids Ministry — Paper Planes Kids

A local Alton children's ministry designed for kids (Kindergarten – 5th grade) to further understand who God is and how to develop a personal relationship with Him. Pick-up and drop-off times are listed on the bus schedule above.

Kids worshipping together at Paper Planes Kids

Exciting Worship

Worshipping the one and only God, the creator of the universe, should always be exciting. Some of us jump, dance, and sing — as long as we celebrate Jesus, it's a good day.

Kids playing an interactive game during service

Interactive Service

Sitting still isn't our forte. Kids learn and grow through games, object lessons, and responding directly to the message.

Kids sharing a free Sunday dinner together

FREE Dinner

A free meal every single Sunday night. Please list any allergies on your waiver — your child's safety is our number one priority.

The Shop

Kids earn "tickets" to buy really cool stuff — earned by engaging in service, memorizing scripture, and just showing up.

Volunteer with kids → Sign a waiver

Out in the Neighborhoods · Completely Free

Block Parties

An extension of our ministry that lets us connect further with our communities and show the love of Christ right in our people's neighborhoods.

Neighbors and volunteers gathered at a Paper Planes community event

A Simple Approach

Our team brings all the supplies — food to grill, games for the kids, basketballs, and parts to fix bikes. All you need to do is show up.

Safety Taken Seriously

All volunteers wear Paper Planes t-shirts so they're easy to identify. Volunteers stay at the party location and never enter anyone's home.

To Love One Another

We just want to show the love of God to our people. No strings attached — everything, including food, is completely free.

An Easy Sign-Up

Sign up to serve by filling out the form. Someone from our team will reach out with further details.

Serve a block party → Repair bikes

A Decade of Experience · For Your Church or Team

Training

We offer training for any of the ministries we do — including our annual community egg hunt. Want to start a bus ministry? Outreach ministries? Children's ministry? Having a hard time getting your kids to engage or respond to structure? These are all things we've trained in for longer than a decade, and we'd love to show you how to do them well.

Get more information →

Our Beliefs

The theology we share with our people — and put into practice every day.

A few core beliefs that describe the heart of our ministry. Tap any to read more.

God loves the people of the world, even though we are sinful, rebel against Him and do not deserve His love (Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:1–5). He sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly (John 3:16; Romans 5:6).

By His suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, Jesus purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for them (Isaiah 53:4–6; 1 Peter 3:18). Those who hear this Good News and believe it have the eternal life that it offers (John 5:24; Romans 1:16).

The Bible is God's inerrant and infallible Word, in which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 3:16–17; John 5:39). It is the sole rule and norm for Christian doctrine (Psalm 19:7; Galatians 1:8–9).

Found in Jesus Christ alone. Humanity, though created in the image of God, is separated from Him by sin and is unable to restore itself apart from God's grace (Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:2).

Salvation is God's gracious work through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus lived a sinless life, willingly died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, and rose again, defeating sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3–4; 2 Corinthians 5:21). There is no other means by which humanity may be reconciled to God (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

We believe salvation is received through faith. This faith begins with repentance — a recognition of one's sin and need for God's mercy (Acts 2:38; Luke 5:32) — and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9–10). Faith is not merely an acknowledgment of Christ's existence, but a wholehearted trust in His work and submission to His teaching (James 2:19; John 14:15).

To believe in Christ is to follow Him. Saving faith is marked by a desire to live according to His Word and to be transformed by the Holy Spirit (John 8:31; Romans 12:1–2). While obedience and good works do not earn salvation, they are the fruit of a genuine and living faith (Ephesians 2:8–10; Matthew 7:21).

Salvation is entirely the work of God's grace, yet it calls for a response of repentance, faith, and ongoing discipleship. Those who are saved are invited into a life of continual transformation, shaped by Christ's example and sustained by God's grace (Philippians 1:6; Luke 9:23).

Jesus is exactly who He said He is (John 8:58; John 14:6). Along with the ancient Church, we confess that Jesus is true God and true man in one person (John 1:1, 14; Colossians 2:9). He is the Son of God who was crucified and raised from the dead for the salvation of all who trust in Him (Romans 5:8–9; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4).

Christ is not Jesus's last name, but identifies Him as the Messiah (Christ is the Greek translation of Messiah), the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises that God saves His people (Luke 24:44; Isaiah 53:5–6).

This fulfillment and salvation happened in history in real time and in a real place (first century AD in Israel) through a flesh-and-blood person named Jesus (1 John 1:1–2; Hebrews 2:14).

The Bible is the true and trustworthy Word of God that records God's love for the world through His Son Jesus (John 20:30–31; Romans 15:4). The miracles recorded in the Gospels and the teachings of Jesus are true and accurate (Matthew 11:4–5; Luke 4:18–21).

Jesus physically died on a cross (Mark 15:37–39) and physically rose from the dead in three days (Luke 24:39–43; 1 Corinthians 15:20). He physically ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9–11).

Those who trust in Jesus as their Savior will have eternal life in heaven (John 3:16; John 11:25–26). Those who deny Jesus and live in their sin will be cast out of His presence to hell (John 3:18; 2 Thessalonians 1:8–9).

We believe in one God, who exists eternally as three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19). These three are co-equal and co-eternal, each fully God, yet one in essence (John 1:1–3; John 10:30).

God the Father is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, sovereign in love and purpose (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 103:19). He desires that all people be reconciled to Him and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3–4).

God the Son, Jesus Christ, is eternally begotten of the Father and fully God and fully human (John 1:14; Colossians 2:9). Through Him all things were made, and through Him salvation is accomplished (Colossians 1:15–20). In His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus reveals the Father and makes reconciliation with God possible (Hebrews 1:1–3; Romans 5:10).

God the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and is given through the Son to dwell within believers (John 15:26; John 20:22). The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, leads people to faith, and works to sanctify and transform those who follow Christ (John 16:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:11).

We affirm the doctrine of the Trinity as a sacred mystery revealed in Scripture and confessed by the historic Church. The Triune God is the foundation of Christian faith and life — drawing humanity into communion with God and shaping believers to live in love, unity, and holiness (2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:4–6).

A response to God's grace revealed through Jesus Christ. It is not a pursuit of moral perfection or religious performance, but a life transformed by faith and expressed through love, service, and obedience (Ephesians 2:8–10; Galatians 2:20).

We affirm that every person is created in the image of God and possesses inherent dignity and worth (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139:13–14). Guided by the principle of cura personalis — care for the whole person — we believe Christians are called to attend to the spiritual, physical, emotional, and intellectual needs of others (Luke 10:33–35; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). Love of neighbor is not abstract, but personal, intentional, and active (Matthew 22:37–39; 1 John 3:18).

The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation or confined to weekly gatherings. We believe faith is lived out in daily life through presence in broken places, solidarity with the poor and marginalized, and service to those affected by poverty, violence, and neglect (James 1:27; Matthew 25:35–40). True discipleship moves outward — meeting people where they are and walking alongside them with humility and compassion (Micah 6:8; Philippians 2:3–5).

We value education and formation as essential to Christian faithfulness. A growing understanding of Scripture, theology, and the teachings of the Church strengthens faith, guards against shallow belief, and equips believers to love God with both heart and mind (Matthew 22:37; Romans 12:2; 2 Timothy 3:16–17). We believe a well-formed faith leads to deeper humility, wisdom, and service (Proverbs 2:1–6; Colossians 1:9–10).

We affirm that good works do not earn salvation, but flow naturally from a living faith (Romans 3:28; James 2:17). The Christian life is marked by repentance, growth, discipline, and reliance on God's grace (Luke 9:23; Philippians 1:6). As followers of Christ, we seek lives shaped by prayer, service, learning, and love — bearing witness to the hope, truth, and restoration found in the Gospel (Colossians 3:12–17; Matthew 5:14–16).

Annual Event

Paper Planes Fundraiser Dinner

An evening to celebrate the work being done to introduce our families to the Gospel — and to partner with us for what's next.

You're Invited

An evening of stories, dinner & partnership.

📅 Thursday, September 24th · 6:00 PM 📍 Munstermann Building – Gordon Moore Park · 4550 College Ave, Alton, IL 62002

Doors Open 5:00 PM Dinner 5:30 PM Program 6:30 PM Catered by Chef Bob

Attend the dinner

Join us to celebrate the life-changing impact of the Gospel. Enjoy dinner catered by Chef Bob, hear impactful stories from families impacted by Paper Planes, and learn how you can partner with us to continue serving children and families in our community.

RSVP here →

Be a Table Captain

An easy, yet impactful way to volunteer. Table Captains are the ambassadors of our dinner — simply invite guests to fill a table of 8 and join us. It will be our job to inspire your guests to give!

Email to become a captain

Be a Sponsor

All costs for the dinner are underwritten by local businesses, so 100% of funds raised the night of the event support the bus ministry, block parties, kids ministry, and all other ministry efforts.

Sponsorship information

Can't come, but want to give?

Click below to be transferred to our giving portal. Paper Planes Ministries is a 501(c)(3) organization and all gifts are tax deductible as allowable by law.

Click to give →

Our Team

People, not a means to an end.

Our team is committed to directly serving our people. We've adopted the characteristic of cura personalis — to care for the entire person — to remind our community that people are not a means to an end, but ends in themselves. Meet the team who keeps this ministry functioning.

David & Emily Bosarge

Founders & President

Dave Stokes

Treasurer

Charlotte Ligon

Secretary

Ava Selvidge

Board Member

Get Involved

There's a place for you in this.

Whether you give, serve, pray, or simply spread the word — every paper plane starts with a single fold.

Give

Fuel buses, meals, and block parties. Paper Planes is a 501(c)(3) — all gifts are tax deductible.

Donate to the mission →

Volunteer

Serve kids, staff a block party, or fix bikes. We'll get you onboarded with everything you need.

Apply to volunteer → Help with Kids Ministry → Serve a block party → Repair bikes →

Ask for Prayer

Have a need that could use some intercessory prayer? Ask our team to pray on your behalf — we'd be honored.

Submit a prayer request →

Sign a Waiver

The first step for any child to ride the bus or join Kids Ministry. Be sure to note any allergies.

Sign the waiver →

Stay Connected

Hear stories from the neighborhoods through our newsletter.

Join the newsletter →

For Volunteers · Required Steps

Take Mandated Reporting Training → Record Completion of Mandated Reporting → Sign the Heart of the Honor Code → Sign the Honor Code for Leadership → Sign the Honor Code for Kids & Youth Leadership →

We make a life by what we give.