For the second year in a row, Holly Brook Baptist Church, near Hawkins, is doing something really special for all East Texas folks with special needs.

The church will be hosting a Night to Shine prom experience on Feb. 7 from 6-9 p.m. The event is funded in part and initiated by the Tim Tebow Foundation, which works through Night to Shine to “celebrate so many Kings and Queens and share how much they are loved by us and by the God of this universe.” 

The event will be completely free of cost to attendees.

The church’s event in 2025 will be just as amazing as it was last year. All special needs attendees, who are invited to come from ages 14 and up, will be treated “royally,” according to organizers.

Mickey Majors, who attends the church and has volunteered to get the word out about the event, says that, in addition to dancing, the event will also feature a video introduction from Tim Tebow, a catered Chick-fil-A meal, homemade desserts from the church, a live band, a limousine ride around the parking lot for attendees, and more. Those who come to the prom even get to walk inside on a red carpet, cheered on by those who helped organize the event. 

Majors says that the church also has “stations” for anyone who is attending – male or female – to go get their hair done, shoes shined or even, if desired, get an entirely different prom outfit so that they feel beautiful on their special night.

Any attendee will be able to take advantage of these “stations” (which were organized by church member Tara Perkins) when they walk in the doors of the event. Call Holly Brook Baptist or visit their website at www.hbbc.live/nts for more information on these stations and their offerings.

“They will treat them very royally with whatever their want is,” explained Majors. “It’s whatever their want is; it’s not a ‘need.’ If they want it, they get it… It’s just a pleasure.”

On top of everything else, every single attendee gets to be a part of a crowning ceremony, where they will receive a crown or a tiara.

“Oh, the smiles on their faces! It’s just – oh! It melts your heart,” said Majors. “It just brings tears to my eyes even talking about that they will be able to have a prom – a special event – and they get crowned.”

Holly Brook Baptist’s Night to Shine also features a “respite room” for parents and caregivers and a non-sensory area for those who need to get away for a few minutes.

Along with many other “host churches around the world,” Holly Brook Baptist chose to host Night to Shine because of the “many special needs people that are being ignored…(who are) God’s image bearers.”

“This whole thing is for the special needs people; and they’re people!” said Majors. “God will save them as well, and we need to honor them. They don’t get any recognition.”

Majors says that, for Holly Brook Baptist Church, Night to Shine is all about a night to glorify God and honor His created people. It is not, she says, for accolades, either for herself or for the church.

“It’s not for recognition; not at all. I do not want any recognition whatsoever — I just want God to be glorified. I want to work and do what He’s called me to do, and this is part of it,” she said.

Every single attendee will also be paired with a “buddy” for the duration of the evening, who will dance, eat, walk, talk, etc. with them. The church asks for more “buddy” volunteers to sign up and be trained, as every attendee needs a buddy.

Majors asks that absolutely anyone with special needs or who takes care of a special needs person sign up to attend the event. To register, or for more information, email Lynzestringfield@hollybrookbaptist.org or visit the church website.

“We’re already praying for a bunch of people to show up to Night to Shine,” said Majors. “God always provides!”