Stacey Tinsley, Bossier Press-Tribune
Laughter, music and joyful tears filled Cypress Baptist Church on Friday, Feb. 13, as the congregation hosted the 2026 Night to Shine, a worldwide celebration sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation honoring people with special needs.
The Benton church joined hundreds of host churches across the globe in opening its doors for an unforgettable evening centered on love, dignity and belonging. Guests were welcomed like celebrities, stepping onto a red carpet lined with cheers, friendly faces and flashing cameras, setting the tone for a night devoted entirely to celebrating them.
Inside, the church was transformed into a magical space featuring hair and makeup stations, shoeshines, karaoke, dancing and a catered dinner. Guests enjoyed limousine rides, received special gifts and had access to a Sensory Room designed for comfort and calm. A Respite Room offered parents and caregivers a place to rest, knowing their loved ones were being celebrated and cared for.
The evening culminated in a moving crowning ceremony, where every guest was honored as a King or Queen — a powerful reminder of their value and worth. For many families, the moment captured the heart of Night to Shine: seeing people with special needs recognized and celebrated exactly as they are.
As the global sponsor, the Tim Tebow Foundation supported Cypress Baptist Church with planning resources, personalized guidance, and access to grants to help make the night possible. The foundation also connects churches and families through Shine On, a faith-based disability ministry focused on fostering belonging and purpose for individuals with disabilities worldwide.
Over the past 11 years, Night to Shine has provided more than half a million guest experiences and over one million volunteer experiences through churches around the world. Cypress Baptist’s participation added Benton to that growing legacy of compassion and celebration.
For volunteers and organizers at Cypress Baptist Church, the night was a reflection of their mission to serve and love their community. For guests and families, it was an evening of joy, acceptance and unforgettable memories — a reminder that everyone deserves to be celebrated.
More information about Cypress Baptist Church and its ongoing ministries can be found at www.cypressbaptist.org, while details about the global Night to Shine movement are available at www.timtebowfoundation.org/night-to-shine.
