Bowman Chapel UMC offers an unforgettable experience for special needs youth and adults!

Centered on God’s love, for people with special needs ages 14 and older, Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience. On one night, February 9, 2018, more than 540 churches from around the world will come together to host Night to Shine for approximately 90,000 honored guests.  Bowman Chapel UMC is one of four churches in the entire state hosting Night to Shine in West Virginia.

Every guest of Night to Shine enters this complimentary event on a red carpet complete with a warm welcome from a friendly crowd and paparazzi. Once inside, guests receive the royal treatment, including hair and makeup stations, shoe shining areas, limousine rides, corsages and boutonnieres, a catered dinner, karaoke, prom favors for each honored guest and, of course, a dance floor… all leading up to the moment when each guest is crowned king or queen of the prom.

Kristi Dietrich-Crawford has a special needs cousin.  She read about this event and thought how much it would mean to her cousin to go to the prom. She researched and found that there was not a “Night to Shine” hosted in WV. God placed it in her heart to approach her church, Bowman UMC, with the idea of hosting one in Moundsville, WV. Another member of the congregation also has a special needs child in her family. She felt God’s spark in her heart as well. Together they began to form the first Night to Shine in the state.  The whole congregation takes part. When a member expressed to Kristi a desire to help even though she was bound to her home cookies became a part of the menu. Each year this event grows in number as an expression of God’s love in action.

Erin’s Mom shares; “Night to Shine“ means so much to me as a parent. My daughter gets overwhelmed very easily and suffers anxiety in new situations and crowds. When she attended Night to Shine, towards the middle of the evening was the very first time she felt confident with herself and her surroundings in a crowd to let go of all the anxiety and fear to enjoy herself freely. I do believe with the love that filled that room along with God’s love, she overcame that fear. As I watched from the balcony, she spotted me, and with a huge smile on her face as she danced, she blew me a kiss. It is a moment I will never forget. Embraced in love, happiness and acceptance among so many people, it truly was a Night to Shine in more ways than one.”

This event is living proof of our living God putting God’s word into action. , Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

The cost for this event is approximately $12,000. If you have a business or just personally want to help here are a few ideas:

You could sponsor an “up light”, at a cost of $18.00 each.

Sponsor a guest for $35, or

sponsor a crown or tiara for $10 each. It cost approximately $1,200 just for crowns and tiaras.

Night to Shine is free for guests and volunteers so outside donations are a necessity. Every year the amount of support from the Tim Tebow foundation is less.

If you would like to volunteer to help please contact Janet Allen 304-650-4126 or Kristi Dietrich -Crawford 304-845-7527.

If you’d like to contribute financial donations please send checks to:

Northern District Office of the UMC
c/o A Night To Shine
1060 Chapline St. Room 111
Wheeling, West Virginia 26003

For more about Night to Shine follow this link.