Last weekend, we hosted an extraordinary event for the very first time. In partnership with the Tim Tebow Foundation, Seeds of Hope held the West Bank’s first Night to Shine.
Night to Shine is an annual event designed to show teens and young adults with special needs God’s love by giving them an unforgettable night. Churches and organizations across the world literally roll out the red carpet for their guests of honor, and we were thrilled to get to host the event in partnership with our friends at Emmanuel Church.
We took over one of Jericho’s nicest hotel ballrooms and turned it into a night so great that no one wanted to leave! We treated each guest of honor to special pampering, a flower corsage or boutonniere, and a walk on the red carpet with adoring “fans” and professional photographers. Every girl wore a tiara, and every boy received a traditional fez, or Tarboosh, that’s often given to a dignitaries or guests of honor at an event. It was a night of dancing, celebration, and absolute joy.
We welcomed 75 teenagers and young adults, along with their parents, to forget about their struggles for one evening and simply enjoy themselves. With a range of disabilities, including individuals who are blind, deaf, use a wheelchair, or have down syndrome, these families are used to being overlooked by society. But at Night to Shine, they were the main event.
“It was exciting to be part of the Night to Shine event,” said Mark Crosslin, a Seeds of Hope board member who attended the event. “These beautiful souls live in the shadows. But at Night to Shine, they were valued, recognized, and honored in a way they have never known before.”
“The parents were in tears to see their children celebrated!” Mark recalled, “I was emotionally touched to see the reactions of everyone there. And now, this event is the talk of the town!”
No one knew what to expect for the first gathering, but it was such a hit with the families, volunteers, and hotel staff that word quickly spread around Jericho. Local media outlets even contacted us to cover the event and learn more.
Night to Shine embodies so much of what Seeds of Hope is all about: pouring into our community, elevating the overlooked, and building a community of love and hope by investing in relationships across our city. And this night brought even more families into contact with our organization. Not only that, but Pastor Nihad from Emmanuel Church gave a message on love to all the guests—the majority of whom were Muslim.
“It was an honor to participate in Night to Shine,” said Pastor Nihad. “We all got the opportunity to love and serve the Lord by loving and serving the guests who were there. It was a night of joy!”
We were so grateful to partner with the Tim Tebow foundation to bring Night to Shine to Jericho. The impact that this event had on our community will likely be evident for years to come. We can’t wait to see how these new relationships and connections in our community continue to bring hope to Jericho and beyond!
