Anytime a church decides to try a new outreach event or program—especially one that isn’t about increasing worship attendance or church membership, and especially when it requires spending money from an already tight budget—it is a step of faith. It is an act of selfless discipleship. That is exactly what Hettinger United Methodist Church lived out recently when it hosted a Night to Shine, an unforgettable prom night experience for people with special needs.
A Night to Shine is an annual event sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. As described on the foundation’s website, Night to Shine is “an unforgettable worldwide celebration event, centered on God’s love, honoring and valuing people with special needs.” For participants, it is a chance to dress up, walk the red carpet, be crowned royalty, and enjoy a night where they are celebrated simply for who they are.
Making Event Accessible to Community
For families in and around Hettinger, this celebration filled a significant gap. Located in the far southwest corner of North Dakota, Hettinger is many miles from Bismarck and Rapid City, the nearest cities where Night to Shine events have been held in the past. Even when families hoped to attend those locations, February weather in the Dakotas often made travel difficult or impossible. Hosting the event locally removed a major barrier and made the experience accessible to people who otherwise may never have been able to attend.
Recognizing this need, the congregation applied to become an official Night to Shine host. The Tim Tebow Foundation works closely with first-year host churches, providing guidance, resources, and promotional materials to help ensure a successful event. Host sites receive support and materials through the foundation’s partnerships, while local churches are responsible for planning entertainment, gifts, decorations, and food.
Jeri Dunn, lay leader at Hettinger UMC, felt a sense of pride in working on the first-time event. "All the details, planning, gifts, meals, and decorations were coordinated with color, care, and conscientious effort to add comfort and sophistication to the occasion."
To help offset costs, Hettinger UMC also received a Breakthrough Ministry Grant from the Dakotas Methodist Foundation—support that proved essential.
The event itself was a true community-wide effort. The planning team worked with the same company local families use for prom decorations to transform the space. A local DJ—who is neurodiverse himself—was hired to provide music. “He was honored that he got to do it, and he did such a great job,” Andrea shared. “He knows so many of the participants, so that made it especially fun.”
Community Stepped Up with Donations
Local businesses and community members stepped in generously with donations to make the event a success.
“It was really a community effort,” Andrea said.
Attendees arrived to a red-carpet welcome, were crowned as kings and queens, had their photos taken, and then enjoyed a meal before dancing the night away. In total, 115 people—including participants, caregivers, and volunteers—took part in the event.
Jeri Dunn reflected afterwards. "There was no better feeling than the reaction and wonder as those who entered the gym saw its very fast and thorough transformation. I feel privileged and honored to make the event both beautiful and special for the attendees," she said.
The impact of the evening was deeply felt. “So many parents left crying because it touched them so much to be able to see their child doing something they wouldn’t normally get to do,” Andrea shared
Your Generosity Helps Others
By supporting your local congregation’s outreach ministries, you impact lives of your surrounding communities and those around the world. No matter what part of the world we live in, your generosity can reach across oceans and help churches like Hettinger UMC help those that are less fortunate.
excerpt from a story by Rebecca G. Trefz, Communicator, Dakotas Annual Conference
This story represents how United Methodist local churches through their Annual Conferences are living as Vital Congregations. The overarching purpose of The United Methodist Church is to "make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." A vital congregation is one that is effectively engaged in this mission. Together, we become a powerful force for healing, growth, and transformation—living out the Gospel in every corner of the globe.
