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.

Wide smiles showed the excitement at Hettinger's Night to Shine.

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.

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. “If we would not have gotten the grant from the Tim Tebow Foundation and if we would not have gotten the grant from the United Methodist Conference, we would not have been able to do it,” said Andrea Plueddeman, whose husband, Pastor Paul Plueddeman, was appointed to Hettinger UMC last summer. “We are so grateful for both of them because in my eyes, every penny that was spent was so well-spent.”

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.”

Night to Shine volunteers had a blast, too!

Local businesses and community members stepped in generously—the grocery store partnered with the church by selling some items and donating others. A local coffee shop donated drinks and snacks for a respite area where caregivers could take a break. The town’s ice cream and burger shop served ice cream sundaes to all the participants. The flower shop provided corsages and boutonnieres. A hobby photographer from town captured the memories, and a group of high school students filmed the evening.

“It was really a community effort,” Andrea said.

The event was held at the Hettinger Armory, which offered flexible spaces to meet a variety of needs. One room was designated as a sensory space for participants who needed a quieter environment. The kitchen and dining room were used for the meal, while the large community gym became the main dance floor. Additional stations included a candy buffet, Italian soda bar, and ice cream sundae area.

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, with an additional 57 family members and friends coming simply to watch and celebrate.

“We had a great team of volunteers—we did 103 plated meals in less than an hour,” Andrea said.

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.

A festive atmosphere and tasty goodies.

Participants from local group homes attended with their caregivers, with each home determining the level of support needed. Volunteer “buddies” from the church and community were also on hand, helping participants feel comfortable, dancing alongside them, or assisting during the meal.

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. The joy continued well beyond the night itself. “I was grocery shopping yesterday, and one of the participants who lives in one of our group homes here in town came up and gave me a great big hug and said it was the best night.”

Local partner organizations echoed that gratitude. Brandy Schwab, Residential Supervisor from LIVE, Inc., shared, “The staff we sent came back that night so excited about all the fun they personally had and the enjoyment of the individuals supported. The individuals are still talking about it, as are their families. Everyone really enjoyed the fun of getting all dressed up.”

Brandy also reflected on the broader significance of the event. “I think it is super important for churches to participate in activities like this, as it is a fabulous way to minister to others in a nontraditional way. Ministering to others is all about loving Jesus and loving people. There is no better way to do this than to highlight those who are often overlooked in society.” She added, “We here at LIVE, Inc. are super excited to help any way we can to ensure that this is a continued success for our area and pray that The United Methodist Church in Hettinger will continue to be the one to host.”

Church members Allan and Jody Lefebre described the night as “an awesome night of fun for the prom attendees, their families, and the volunteers,” noting the unusually warm February weather and the joy that filled the room as soon as the music began. “Everyone was ready to dance as soon as the DJ began!”

Getting down on the dance floor at Night to Shine.

Before the event even ended, volunteers were already talking about next year. Because funding from the Tim Tebow Foundation decreases over time, the congregation knows that fundraising will be necessary to continue hosting. Even so, there is no question about whether the effort is worth it. Lay Leader Dunn sees a myriad of ways people continue to express gratitude for the event, making everyone involved "proud and truly touched."

Events like Night to Shine remind us that the heart of the gospel is not about growth measured in numbers, but about faithfulness measured in love. Hettinger United Methodist Church stepped out in trust, offered what they had, and created space where God’s beloved children were honored, celebrated, and seen – a ministry that reflects the love of Christ in powerful and lasting ways.

March is Disability Ministries month in The United Methodist Church. For more information about how your congregation can be in ministry to and with persons with disabilities and their families, check out the Disability Ministries Committee of The United Methodist Church (DMC)  or contact Rev. Quaya Ackerman, chair of the Dakotas Disability Ministries committee.