Yesterday the world gathered together to pay tribute to the late monumental leader of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk.
Kirk was assassinated on the campus of Utah Valley University on Sept. 10 on the first stop of his “The American Comeback Tour.” During his memorial service held at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, he was honored by some of the most influential voices of our generation. In a stadium of 100,000 people, the miracle of celebrating Charlie Kirk’s life was the platform needed to share the gospel with the entire world. Here are six of the greatest moments from this incredible gathering.
One of the key moments of the entire day, was when Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow and the new CEO and Chair of the Board of Turning Point USA, gave a warm welcome to everyone there who was celebrating Charlie. However, it was in the middle of her speech where she said the most powerful words of all.
Breaking News. Spirit-Filled Stories. Subscribe to Charisma on YouTube now!
Speaking about her husband’s killer, Erika referenced how Jesus forgave on his persecutors on the cross before simply stating, “That young man…I forgive him.”
“I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and is what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the Gospel is love and always love. Love for our enemies, and love for those who persecute us.”
Erika recounted a time when Charlie spoke to a group about about submitting to God’s will, quoting one of his favorite verses: “Isaiah 6:8: Here I am, Lord, send me.” Now, she too is finding freedom in the submission to God’s perfect will.
“Never before have I found as much comfort in our Lord’s prayer: Thy will be done.”
She also pointed out that from a medical standpoint, Charlie felt no pain in what happened, but rather entered right away into his eternal reward. “He blinked and saw His Savior in Paradise.”
Kirk further noted something fantastic that happened in the wake of her husband’s death: “God’s mercy and God’s love have been revealed to me…we didn’t see violence, we didn’t see rioting, we didn’t see revolution. Instead we saw what my husband always prayed…we saw revival.”
She further encouraged Christians, especially new believers to stick to the message of Christ even when the world wants to draw us back in.
“The seed has only just been planted. The enemy will tempt you the most in a moment like this…you must choose to mark your soul again and again in the direction of Christ. Pray again. Read the Bible again. Go to church next Sunday and the Sunday after that…”
Kirk also spoke to the New York Times in an interview that was published on Sunday where she described Charlie’s final moments.
“His eyes were semi-open…And he had this knowing, Mona Lisa-like half-smile. Like he’d died happy. Like Jesus rescued him. The bullet came, he blinked, and he was in heaven.”
President Donald Trump also gave powerful remarks on Charlie’s life and what his impact has been for the nation. “He’s a martyr now for American freedom.”
Trump noted that Charlie’s service was “like an old-time revival,” and that Kirk’s remarkable legacy is “He was always in it for the mission.”
The president pointed out that Charlie’s murder was not just about him; it was about an entire group of people who believe in faith and patriotism.
“Charlie didn’t just bring young people into the movement. It started to grow by leaps and bounds.”
He also announced that he would be awarding Charlie Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. “He’s bigger now than ever before,” said Trump. The president concluded his speech by having Erika come back to the stage to wave to the audience alongside of him, an emotional and impactful moment.
The president was the one who announced Kirk’s death and when the suspect responsible for his assassination was caught by the FBI.
Vice President J.D. Vance took to the stage with a clear message to Charlie Kirk’s assassin. “I can’t help but think they tried to silence our dear friend Charlie… The evil murderer who took Charlie expected us to have a funeral today, but instead we had a revival…”
“Charlie Kirk brought the truth,” said Vance. “He brought the truth that marriage and family were the highest callings…he brought the truth that life is precious.”
Vance made the point that: “Charlie brought the truth that Jesus Christ is the King of Kings,” and that for Charlie, “America was his home, and he was willing to die for it.”
Vance discussed how Kirk was the same man both in front of the camera and behind-the-scene with anyone and everyone he met. He then shared how he previously felt afraid to talk about his faith in Jesus Christ in the public sector, but since Kirk’s death, he has spoken openly about Jesus than he has the entire time in his career.
Ultimately, Vance believes Kirk would tell him to “put on the full armor of God and get back to work.” The vice president now recognizes too that “It is better to be persecuted for your faith than to deny the Kingship of Christ.”
Kirk’s pastor, Rob McCoy used the opportunity to do something incredibly powerful: He used the chance of Kirk’s service to preach the gospel and allow all those watching to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior.
“I’m going to ask you to put action to your faith,” McCoy said. “The Bible says that when one sinner gives their heart to the Lord, the angels in heaven rejoice…” McCoy then called on all of those in the room who were already Christians to pray with those who had just accepted Christ.
“I’m here to tell you the ‘why’ in what [Kirk] did,” said McCoy. “The why brought him the courage. The why brought him the wisdom and the strength. The why is the one Charlie wanted to welcome as the guest of honor. The guest of honor’s resume is long. He’s the King of glory. He’s the Prince of Peace. He’s the Savior of the world. He’s the living God. He’s the God of all mercy and grace. The total embodiment of love. The total embodiment of truth, and He’s here today to call his children back to Him.”
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth called Charlie Kirk a “true believer for the cause of freedom,” before focusing on Kirk’s faith founded in Christ, noting that only Jesus is the King of all.
Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!
“Our sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus. Fear God and fear no man,” said Hegseth.
Hegseth pointed out that Charlie Kirk was building a movement, and he dedicated his life to it with hard work and great commitment.
President Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., also came to the stage with a bold message: “We are all Charlie.” Instead of backing down out of fear, Trump promised that a “million more” Charlies have been raised up, and there would be no backing down from the faith of Christ and conservative values. What started with just one man’s life is now spreading out to the world.
The service also kicked off with three hours of worship with top artists like Brandon Lake, Cody Carnes and Kari Jobe, Tiffany Hudson and Phil Wickham and Chris Tomlin. Toward the end of the worship set, thousands lifted up signs stating “This is our Turning Point” and a sketch on the back of Kirk with Isaiah 6:8 “Here I am Lord, send me.” Other signs said, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Charlie Kirk previously stated that he wanted to be remembered for the “courage for his faith.” It is undeniable that Kirk will not only be remembered for his faith, but that his faith has now ignited an entire generation for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Prepared by Charisma Media Staff.
