Comments on the death of Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist, influencer, and courageous spokesman for biblical values was assassinated while speaking at a college campus in Utah. Charlie’s gift for debate and speaking truth in love was well known especially to Gen Z. And, sadly, he has become the latest in a growing number of political figures who have been targeted in the past year. Take a moment to just consider the last twelve to eighteen months:
In 2024, President Trump was nearly assassinated. That same year, Brian Thompson, the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, was murdered. In 2025, Molotov cocktails were thrown into the home of Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania during Passover. Melissa Hortman, the former House speaker of Minnesota, and her husband were murdered, and State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were severely injured by a gunman.
And on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, Kirk, committed man of faith and founder of Turning Point USA and Turning Point Faith, was gunned down.
This event has, understandably, shaken our society and we know it has shaken some of you. There are those who are afraid; wondering if they will be targeted for sharing their political views or personal beliefs. There are those who are angry; wanting to assign blame and seek vengeance. And, unfortunately, there are those who are feeling justified; believing that this is just what happens to those who are politically divisive, whether conservative or progressive.
Which is why, to each, we want to say the following:
- To those who are afraid, remember what God’s Word says: “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment” (2 Timothy 1:7 CSB)
- To those who are seeking vengeance, remember the words of the apostle Paul, “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’” (Romans 12:17-19 ESV)
- And to those who feel justified, take to heart the words of Jesus, who says, “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44 NIV)
As God’s people, we are encouraged to mourn with those who mourn and to pray for the unity of all people. In this growing climate of political violence, we are to adopt, first and foremost, a posture of prayer and an attitude of love and humility. So let us take time now to do that very thing:
Dearest Lord, we are shocked by what happened this past week. We grieve with the Kirk family who lost a son, a husband, and a father. May they feel your loving arms around them, upholding them as they mourn the loss of their beloved Charlie.
We also grieve for our nation. In the same week that we marked the anniversary of 9/11 - a day when our country came together in the face of overwhelming violence and evil - we were brought face-to-face with how far apart we have grown as a people as yet another political figure became the victim of violence.
Lord, heal us! Help us to come together as a nation once more, seeking peace, learning to disagree without violence, and pursuing the common good for all of our neighbors. Help us to be what your Son, Jesus Christ, called us to be: peacemakers.
Finally, We thank you that a suspect has been apprehended and we pray that justice would be carried out through our courts and those who lead them. But more than that, we ask that you would help to heal the wounds which divide us.
We ask all of this in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.