The Tim Tebow Foundation exists to bring faith, hope, and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. They strive to fight for the Most Vulnerable People (MVP) through their work in four main focuses – anti-human trafficking and child exploitation, orphan care and prevention, profound medical needs, and special needs ministry. In 2018, Back2Back Ministries and The Tim Tebow Foundation developed a partnership with a focus on serving Back2Back sites who provide holistic care for children and young adults with special needs. A well-known event the foundation holds every year around the world is A Night to Shine.
A Night to Shine is hosted annually around the world on the Friday before Valentine’s Day. Each event is unique to its location, but all have key features no matter where attendees are shining from – a red carpet with “paparazzi” and a warm welcome, hair and makeup stations, shoe shiners, limousine rides, karaoke, gifts, a catered dinner, dancing, and a crowning ceremony where each attendee is named King or Queen, just the way God sees them every day.
This February, a Back2Back-partner organization in Bosnia hosted A Night to Shine.
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The red carpet was rolled out and soft lighting lit the way for attendees as they exited their limousines. As “paparazzi” flashed their cameras, capturing every dress and bow tie, loved ones of those attending clapped and shouted adoringly as the guests of honor made their way inside.
You are so beautiful, my girl!
Look how handsome you are!
There’s my daughter – oh! She is so beautiful!
The words of affirmation rang through the air as guests entered.
“As partners were planning the evening, the conversation continued to circle back to how we could provide celebration and dignity to every adult with special needs who attended,” shared Marcie Beckwith, Back2Back staff. “We put fruit juice in fancy glasses with little umbrellas, we snapped pictures, and celebrated all night long with beloved attendees, ensuring they truly understood just how loved by God they are and always will be.”
A Night to Shine creates space to celebrate the beauty and wonder of each guest and their families and is a concrete reminder they have inherent value and a God who holds so many plans for them in His hands. The evening was filled with joy and connection, honoring each man and woman who walked through the doors. Each was crowned King and Queen, reminding them they are fully seen, fully known, and fully loved.
