A Nation Mourns in the Aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s Death
“I want to be remembered for courage for my faith,” Charlie Kirk once reflected.
The 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA was murdered during a rally on Wednesday, September 10, at Utah Valley University in Orem, UT. Approximately 3,000 attended the open-air event, where a single shot took the life of a young man known for energizing a generation of teenagers and young adults in freedom, faith, and responsibility, including political engagement.
“I go around universities and have challenging conversations, because that is what’s so important to our country—to [discuss] our disagreements, respectfully, because when people stop talking, that’s when violence happens,” Charlie explained in a social media post.
He also called men, especially, to live responsibly. “Men, let’s be honest, we’ve got to raise our game in this culture. If the most important thing for you is just feeling good, you’re going to end up miserable. But if the most important thing is doing good, you will end up purposeful. Purpose will give you happiness. … We know that purpose is above all of this, serving God, understanding why we are here, that we are made in His image, and that there is a struggle of good versus evil.”
Charlie is survived by his wife, Erika, and two young children; he was known for his love for his family. In a post featuring their toddler running to her father backstage after a television appearance, Erika noted: She saw him. Never as the speaker, but instead her best friend. And she ran, tiny feet pounding on the floor, arms wide open, like she’d been waiting her whole life for that one moment. There are things I’ll never forget, but this … this is etched in a deeper place. Watching the man I married become the anchor of her little heart, the one she runs to without hesitation, her beginning and blueprint of what love is supposed to feel like. He didn’t need to say a word. He just knelt down, wrapping her up in his arms like she was the most precious thing he’d ever held, because she is. And I thought, This is it. This is the sacred stuff, not the milestones. Not the headlines, but the in between moments when love is quiet and real and right there in front of you. Thank you for being our everything, @charliekirk1776.
A Man of Faith
Charlie is being remembered around the U.S. and the world as a man of deep faith; he has even been acknowledged by Israel’s prime minister as a great friend of the Israeli people.
“Christ wants us to be salt and light. … We as Christians are called to change the environment we come in contact with,” Charlie urged. A witness reported on Facebook that one of the last things that Charlie declared before the shot rang out was that “Christ is Lord” and that “He defeated death.”
Charlie, aware of threats to his life and the danger of speaking out as he did, had his own security team. Ironically, in an undated social media post, Charlie was asked by a man what he would say to him if he had been shot and only had 30 seconds to live. He confidently replied, “In 30 seconds you’re about to meet eternal judgment, and there’s only one way that you can get bailed out of that. It’s not all the good things you did, or the moral scorecard. It’s whether or not Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior.”
Responding to the Tragedy
Calvary Chapel pastors and leaders have responded on social media to the tragedy that has shaken many in our nation, remembered as a “dark moment in America.”
Lloyd Pulley, Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Old Bridge, NJ:
The news of Charlie has rocked me. I was really wrestling with that [and] I’ve had a hard time concentrating. The Lord directed my heart to Psalm 46. Ultimately, He’s our refuge and strength.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Psalm 46:1-3, 10-11
Long have I prayed for mercy on the … powerful elite fools who do not know God and who want to rid the world of God, who are demonically inspired with abortion and all manner of confusion with gender—and now this violence that is attacking those who speak of biblical truth, like Charlie Kirk.
I just want to say, this is all a part of God stirring up the next generation to wake up. We could be on the verge of a revival, and we need this desperately. And then the Lord will bring the end. He says, Be still and know that I am God, I’ll be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10.
So hang in there. This is just the beginning. I think we need to harden ourselves against our own ease, security, and fear and just go forward and bring the Gospel—the only thing that’s going to save souls for eternity. I pray that God uses this tragedy for His glory, as He often does.
Rob McCoy, Pastor Emeritus of Godspeak Calvary Chapel in Newbury Park, CA:
He called me his pastor, but I prefer to be known as his friend and biggest fan.
My friend Charlie Kirk was murdered today by a coward. His life will be remembered for many wonderful things. He built it all with the power of the spoken word. He never used violence but was threatened every day with violence by those who couldn’t contend with logic and truth, and now they have done to my friend what evil always does—it takes away life.
Charlie did not die, however, but instead has begun to truly live. His life was secured eternally by his Savior Jesus Christ. This truth allowed Charlie to face every threat with courage because he didn’t fear death. All evil knows is death, and they derive power from death.
Charlie lived for life and will be remembered for this. My heart is broken for his family, his wife Erika and his two precious children. Evil has not prevailed and it will not win.
Pastor Jack Hibbs, Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, CA:
Charlie was a frequent guest speaker at Jack’s church.
I have had the honor of knowing Charlie Kirk well and personally for many years now. I cannot express how incredibly proud I have been of his faithful Christian witness and the way he has honored the Lord Jesus Christ with his life. Charlie was known as an intellectual giant, a very compassionate young man, and one who was tirelessly devoted to this nation’s welfare and our glorious republic. I am humbled and blessed to have played a small part in Charlie’s discipleship, and I know nothing was more important to Charlie than knowing Jesus Christ.
Whenever Charlie debated anyone, no matter how mean, ugly, or abusive they were to him, Charlie always shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the doctrine of the cross, and the hope of eternal life for anyone who would turn to [Jesus] in faith.
Charlie has now finished his race, his earthly course, and we celebrate his glorious graduation into the presence of Jesus Christ. It is now up to us to carry on the love, the defense, and the courage that Charlie had in proclaiming Christ in America—his glowing vision that our nation would soon honor God and be great in His eyes by turning back to Him in all things. We will see Charlie soon in the everlasting Kingdom of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
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