Birmingham got a surprise Feb. 7 when Tim Tebow made an unannounced appearance during this year’s Night to Shine event.
Tebow created Night to Shine six years ago as a celebration of people with special needs, a prom night just for them centered on God’s love for every person. This year 721 churches across 50 states and 34 countries hosted their own event, including a first-ever Night to Shine held at the Vatican.
Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church — one of 17 Night to Shine sites across Alabama — was one of a handful of sites Tebow dropped in on personally this year.
Kala Waldron, coordinator of the event there, said it was a “shock” when he walked through the doors.
“He got down face-to-face, told them (the guests) he was happy to see them, called them by name, really spent time with them,” Waldron said, according to WBRC news.
Across the state, dozens gathered at these Baptist churches, along with Oak Mountain Presbyterian and nine others:
*Agape Baptist Church, Scottsboro
*Bethel Baptist Church, Dora
*Central Baptist Church, Decatur
*CrossPoint Church, Trussville
*Dayspring Baptist Church, Mobile
*Thorington Road Baptist Church, Montgomery
*Valley View Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa
As part of the evening, volunteers helped guests with hair and makeup, then drove them in a limousine to the event venue where a crowd lined the red carpet waiting for them to arrive. Each guest was also paired with a buddy who spent the evening with them.
Tim Henning, pastor of New Beginnings Fellowship, Trussville, said his daughter, Sarah, “absolutely loved” every bit of their experience at CrossPoint Church’s event, held at the Trussville Civic Center. But even though Tebow didn’t drop in on their location, his video message to guests crowning everyone prom kings and queens was still Sarah’s favorite part of the night.
“The kids cheered when they saw him,” Henning said. “This is the first time that we have participated in Night to Shine, and I was very impressed with it. They did an outstanding job.”
For more information about Night to Shine or to see how your church can get involved, visit timtebowfoundation.org/ministries/night-to-shine. (Grace Thornton)
Main photo courtesy of Focus Creative
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