Tommy and Lindy Lee founded the Monroeville, Alabama, chapter of Pilots for Christ in 1994.
Becky Crawley started her career as a volunteer for the organization until she had the opportunity to join the ministry staff.
When God Gives You Wings
Pilots use passion for aviation to answer a higher calling
Pilot William “Bill” Starrs was devoted to his love of flying. His career was going full throttle, but his relationship with the Lord was slow and steady. Suddenly, a desire for this to change filled Bill’s heart. He began praying for the Lord to show him how to put Him first and use his passion for flying to fulfill His purposes.
With a new devotion to prayer, God revealed a ministry that would provide free flights to people needing medical transport for lifesaving treatment and surgeries. As he continued to pray over this vision, Bill decided to send 4,000 invitations to pilots in his home state of Pennsylvania and placed an advertisement in a national flying publication for pilots to join the mission of the newly formed Pilots for Christ. In January 1985, Bill prayed for 100 pilots. On December 31, 1985, he received an application in the mail making the number of pilots 200—double his request!
For 41 years, pilots have volunteered their time to serve the Lord with the blessing and talent He has gifted them. They have shared the Lord’s love and His plan for salvation with the many people they have flown. As of September 2026, there are chapters operating in 22 states, and flight recipients never pay for their transport.
Pilots for Christ believes the cost of travel should never stand in the way of people receiving the help they need
How it works
Pilots dedicate their prayers, time, and talents to serving God by making sure that their clients are transported with the utmost care and comfort. Patients are flown to and from medical facilities whether it is for a one-time appointment or ongoing treatment. Each chapter operates independently when it comes to fundraising efforts and flight scheduling within their radius.
Family members and friends also have been the recipients of Pilots for Christ’s generosity through the Compassion Flight ministry. These flights are reserved for taking someone to care for a terminally ill family member or friend. Pilots also give these flights to people who need to visit a relative facing serious or terminal illness.
Missionary flights are given to missionaries on furlough and need travel to speaking engagements for fund-raising efforts. This special flight also can be offered to pastors leading events, including revivals.
Flights for recovery and disaster relief are also a high priority. Supplies and relief workers are flown into a disaster area. In the wake of earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, and other disasters, planes can be dispatched to help relocate victims. They also help organize teams of workers for the recovery of Churches and homes that have been damaged. These teams stay for extended periods of time to help rebuild devastated areas.
In 1994 Tommy Lee, owner of Lee Motor Company in Monroeville, Alabama, started a Pilots for Christ chapter to expand his enjoyment of flying and his service to his Lord and Savior.
“God has called me and my wife for this ministry. This is all about God” and serving people in need, Tommy said.
Tommy’s wife Lindy procures the prayer team for clients and caregivers. Each client and each caregiver is assigned a prayer partner to pray for their journey, the event the client is going through, and the continuous responsibilities the caregiver performs.
While each chapter is separate, they work together to do their best to get clients to their destinations. The patient and one caretaker are allowed on a flight and up to three patients and three caretakers can be carried per flight.
Ashley Pharr served Pilots for Christ approximately five years. During that time, her faith grew as she witnessed God’s provision and the “deep compassion for helping those going through a difficult time.”
When both engines went out on one of their airplanes, $918,000 was needed for repairs. “Through a leap of faith, a loan was taken out,” she said. Through fundraisers and other donations, the loan was paid off in six months.
Ashley also has seen God provide a great increase in the number of flights Pilots for Christ averages each year. In 2021, the average was 450. In 2026, the average increased to 800.
Ministry Flight Coordinator Becky Crawley is a staff member who started as a volunteer. She schedules pilots for transport within a 300-mile radius any day of the week. “It is such a joy to be able to watch the Lord move in ways that are so unexpected by those in need,” she said. “He provides every single flight and provision, and that is so comforting to our patients and their caregivers. The Lord loves and remembers them and is taking loving care to provide everything they need.”
The organization spreads the word about its ministry at airshows, airports and other events where volunteers distribute Bibles and Gospel tracts. To learn more about Pilots for Christ, how you can get involved, and how you or a loved one can schedule a flight, visit PilotsforChrist.org. Links to all the chapters in the U.S. are available on this site.
