Last week I quoted Erika Kirk saying, in response to the assassination of her husband Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, “You have no idea what you’ve unleashed!’  Well, yesterday we witnessed just how prophetic that statement proved to be, as close to 100,000 came to the Charlie Kirk Memorial Service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The stadium was filled to capacity with 70,000 and the rest of the attendees were placed in overflow venues. It was one of the largest public gatherings ever organized for a private citizen. The service was broadcast across every major U.S. television network and viewed by millions around the world!

     Worship was led by such Christian artists as Chris Tomlin, Brandon Lake, and Phil Wickham and there were probably at least 20 speakers, including a couple pastors, Vice President Vance, President Trump, many of the cabinet members, the Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff and numerous of the Turning Point USA staff, including the new CEO, Charlie’s wife, Erika. 

     Charlie’s pastor, Rob McCoy,  gave a powerful presentation of the Gospel and included an invitation for people to stand and trust Christ as their personal Savior, as Charlie Kirk had done early in his life. Hundreds–if not thousands– responded!  

     Charlie’s spiritual mentor, Frank Turek, who was at Utah Valley University with Charlie when he was shot and rode in the car with him as he was rushed to the hospital, also shared an impassioned message. There was a common theme among the speakers: Charlie loved God, loved his family, loved his country, and had a great burden for the young men and women of our country who are being indoctrinated by the philosophies of the world and the traditions of men, rather than the truths of God’s Word (see Col. 2:8).  He encouraged those who disagreed with him to share their views and then he would calmly talk to them about his biblical worldview. The speakers emphasized that the driving force behind Charlie Kirk and TPUSA was a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a desire to see our young adults transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He, like the Apostle Paul, was “Not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” (Ro. 1:16). Charlie didn’t just believe what the Bible says. His beliefs had become convictions that he was willing to die for, which on September 10, 2025 he did. He was a martyr for his faith. He knew that just convincing young minds about his conservative political views was not the answer in itself. People need the Lord. His relationship with Jesus Christ and conviction of biblical truths about life is what formed his political views. He knew that people need to be transformed from the inside out. And that was made very clear by those who spoke to celebrate Charlie’s life. It was so powerful. The Holy Spirit was definitely at work. 

     I was reminded by the words the Apostle Paul wrote while in prison: “Now I want you to know brethren, that  my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have more courage to speak the word of God without fear” (Phil. 2:12-14).  Because of the bold witness of Charlie Kirk, putting his life on the line for His faith, look at how the body of Christ was emboldened to “speak the word of God without fear.” You could see and feel the power of the Holy Spirit at work in and through the speakers and worship time in the Charlie Kirk memorial service. God always has the last word, for “Greater is He that is in us (Christ) than he (Satan) that is in the world” (I Jn. 4:4).  Remember when Joseph’s brothers plotted to kill him but ended up selling him as a slave? Well, God used that to put Joseph in a position where he could help save the Israelites during a famine. When he confronted his brothers he said, “You meant it for evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive” (Gen. 50:20).  Joseph forgave his brothers and saw how God had used their hatred toward him for good. That’s how our amazing God works. 

     Erika Kirk, sharing at her husband’s memorial, said, “Charlie’s desire was to save young men just like the one who took his life. On the cross, our Savior said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’ I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and it’s what Charlie would do. I forgive him.”  Wow, that’s powerful!  That is genuine Christianity on display before the world. 

     Reality star, Savannah Chrisley, was scheduled to join Charlie on a college campus tour. She said, “I keep saying that above all else, Charlie and his wife Erika, are Christians. Isn’t that really the message? I think bringing Christianity back into households is the only thing that is going to save us as a country. I know for me, I don’t know where I would be today without my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”  Amen to that!

     What those of us who watched the lengthy memorial service for Charlie Kirk observed is the mighty power of God at work in the hearts of those who, while grieving over the loss of a loved one, friend, and patriot, do not grieve “as those who have no hope” (I Thes. 4:13).  That hope was definitely on display, as was the supernatural gift of forgiveness rather than hatred and retaliation. If you haven’t made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ, I trust that you will acknowledge your sinfulness and need of a Savior and put your trust in Jesus. And for all of us, let us follow the example of Charlie Kirk and courageously be defenders of the faith, willing to lay down our lives for the truth. 

Forever His,

Pastor Dave N