Tim Tebow Foundation Asks Supporters to Remember Partner Church in Ukraine
By Movieguide® Contributor
In a recent Instagram post, Tim Tebow’s foundation asked supporters to “share some words of encouragement” with a Night to Shine host church in Odessa, Ukraine.
“Even in the midst of war, darkness, crisis, and chaos, we see the light of Christ radiate so brightly through our Night to Shine host churches!” the Tim Tebow Foundation posted. “Please share some words of encouragement for our Night to Shine host church in Odessa, Ukraine, as they continue to sacrifice and risk their lives to love their brothers and sisters and celebrate our honored Kings and Queens!”
Through partnerships with churches around the world, every February 9, Tebow’s Night to Shine event honors people aged 14 and up who have special needs. Each event differs, but it usually consists of a crowning ceremony, a special dinner and other fun things for the special guests.
“On the morning of Night to Shine 2023, we received a message from one of our host churches in Ukraine: ‘Pray for Night to Shine today in Ukraine. There are rocket bombs flying over us into other parts of the country,’” the foundation shared.
Hours later, the team went ahead with Night to Shine. Despite the solemn events of the morning, they sent videos of many happy faces celebrating.
“They have shown so much courage amid the war and chaos that they are going through. They triumphed and did what God was calling them to do—to love others sacrificially,” the foundation said.
Tebow previously said on Fox and Friends, “We have really been impacted by [the Ukraine team’s] faith, by their love, by their support for one another, by their hope, and by their community.”
“I can’t tell you how many from our team were weeping this morning because of the stories that they were hearing,” the NFL star said. “Talking in the middle of the night for us but in the morning for them, and hearing what they’re willing to do and how they’re willing to risk because they believe so much and they love their people so much.”
Movieguide® previously reported on actor Micah Fowler’s appreciation for Night to Shine:
Fowler said: ‘Our differences should be celebrated and this is one night that I know for sure I and my disability will be cherished and celebrated for exactly who I am and who I was made to be.’
That is exactly the goal Tebow wanted to achieve when he established the “Night to Shine.”
About six years ago, Tebow created the foundation to show the love that God has for those with special needs and disabilities. He wanted to reassure them that they were made in God’s image and to give the special needs community a night that held value and significance. More importantly, he reminded them that they are children of God.
