Last Friday, we hosted our very first Night to Shine right here in our space and it was truly an unforgettable night. 

Night to Shine is a worldwide prom celebration, launched by the Tim Tebow Foundation, created to honor individuals with special needs and give them a night where they are seen, celebrated, and treated like royalty.

We welcomed over 70 incredible guests and had more than 160 volunteers who came together to create a night filled with joy, honor, and unforgettable celebration.

When asked why Night to Shine is so meaningful, Ana High, our Equip Director shared:

“When we first found out our son had Down syndrome, I never once felt alone. We’ve always been surrounded by a loving family and a community that embraced and loved Cael from day one.

Being able to host an event like Night to Shine through Hoboken Grace Community Church and introduce the special needs community to our church family has meant even more than I ever imagined. While we were fortunate not to feel lonely, that’s not everyone’s story in the special needs community. At Night to Shine, guests were welcomed, loved, thoughtfully planned for, and truly celebrated. Those are not things that are always a given for individuals with special needs, which is exactly why this night matters so much.”

And her prayer going into the night?

“My heart and prayer for the night was that every guest would feel truly loved. Loved enough that when they heard they were wonderfully and fearfully made, they would believe it. Loved enough that when they heard that Jesus loves them and that their lives have purpose, those words would settle deep into their hearts and stay with them long after the night was over.”

It truly was all hands on deck from early planning, to setup, to the night itself. Every team played a role, from building the registration website and creating signage and décor, to designing a high-energy dance floor experience. Dinner Groups handmade paparazzi signs and even dedicated their group times to helping prepare the space. One of our staff members, Sarah, spent nearly 12 hours creating balloon installations that completely transformed the space.

From the moment guests arrived, they were treated like royalty.

Their names were announced one by one as they walked the red carpet. Crowds cheered. Cameras flashed. Handmade signs read “You Shine” to “You are a Rockstar.”

The red carpet crowd brought together students from local high schools and colleges, 20 police officers, Hoboken Grace attendees, and community members from all walks of life - people of every age and background united to celebrate and honor our guests!

One by one, individuals were cheered for who are often overlooked. 

One beautiful moment captured the spirit of the night: a guest arrived with his tie untied, and a police officer jumped in to help tie it for him before he stepped onto the red carpet.

It was a picture of what the night was all about - dignity, care, and going the extra mile.

James, our Equip Assistant, shared what it was like to see so many people serve:

“Seeing 165 people say ‘yes’ to serving was nothing short of powerful. It was a true picture of the body of Christ coming together, with everyone playing a part. Some held cameras, some opened doors, some danced, and some helped with crowns and tiaras.

Every volunteer, from every walk of life, stepped in wherever they were needed. With that many hands and hearts, we were able to love our guests even better than we could have imagined.”

The entire evening was filled with intentional moments, each one designed to make every guest feel truly seen and celebrated. Each of our guests got a tiara or crown and our volunteers didn’t simply hand guests their crowns, they carefully placed each one on their heads. A small gesture, but one that said: You are seen. You are valued. You are royalty.

One moving moment of the night came when a parent shared that this was the first time their son had ever been invited to something on his own, not just along with his parents. Being able to welcome him into a space where he could be fully included, celebrated, and part of the special needs community was a powerful reminder of why this night matters.

Another special part of the night was watching guests connect and make new friends, allowing them to feel a sense of belonging and community.

At the end of the night, Pastor Chris shared the truth about God's love with everyone, reminding each guest that they are royalty in God’s eyes - deeply loved, seen, and valued. For many, it was the first time hearing that truth, a powerful way to close an unforgettable evening.