King of Kings Baptist Church hosts ‘Night to Shine’ for individuals with special needs

King of Kings Baptist Church will roll out the red carpet next week as it hosts a global celebration honouring people with special needs.

The church has announced it will be a host venue for the 2026 Night to Shine, an international event sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation.

The celebration will take place on Friday, February 13, alongside hundreds of churches around the world.

Night to Shine is an annual event held on the Friday before Valentine’s Day and is designed to celebrate and value people living with disabilities.

Each guest is treated as a VIP for the evening, with organisers creating a prom-style experience filled with music, food and entertainment.

Activities typically include a red carpet welcome, karaoke, dancing and a catered dinner. A sensory room is provided for guests who may need a quieter space, while a respite room offers parents and caregivers a place to rest.

The evening ends with a crowning ceremony where every guest is honoured as a King or Queen.

Church member Avril Thomas said the event is especially close to her heart as she has a sister and other family members with special needs.

“I believe that every church should be seeing special needs people in the same way that they see anybody else in the church,” she said.

“They are loved, they were created by God, and they have a special purpose to play.”

She said Night to Shine is about making sure people with special needs - and their families - feel recognised and valued by the wider community.

“Often family members have to make sacrifices for those with special needs, and it is our prayer that they will know they are seen, and that their sacrifice is acknowledged,” she said.

So far, 91 guests with special needs have registered to attend the Sun Valley event. Each guest will be paired with a volunteer “buddy” who will spend the evening at their side - helping them get food, joining them on the dance floor and simply sharing the experience.

“Our challenge has been to try and get a buddy to be with each person,” Ms Thomas said.

“Every special needs guest will have someone dedicated just to them for the whole evening.”

Community members who would like to be part of the celebration can volunteer as buddies. Police clearance will be required and arranged by the organisers, and volunteers must have a valid ID.

Tim Tebow, founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation, has described Night to Shine as his favourite night of the year, saying the goal is to celebrate people with special needs around the world and remind them how deeply loved they are.

As the global sponsor, the foundation supports host churches with planning resources, guidance and access to disability ministry support through its Shine On programme.

Anyone interested in volunteering or finding out more about the Sun Valley event can contact Avril Thomas on 082 465 9067.

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