From The Christian Post:

Christian pastors and Evangelical leaders are joining the chorus of Americans nationwide who are mourning the loss of Christian social activist Charlie Kirk.

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While expressing shared grief over the significant loss for his millions of followers, and, more importantly, his family and close friends, many are reflecting on God’s promise of salvation through Christ and everlasting life for those who believe in Him.

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Several questions remain about the identity of the shooter who, with one lone bullet, killed Kirk during a Q&A with attendees at TPUSA’s “The American Comeback Tour” stop at Utah Valley University at 12:20 p.m. local time on Wednesday.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox described the fatal shooting as a targeted “political assassination” and warned that his state still has the death penalty.

Cox added that as the nation looks ahead to its 250th anniversary and the shared history of the freedom of speech and debate, which Kirk was exercising in the exchange of ideas, citizens should think deeply about “where we want to be.”

“To ask ourselves, ‘Is this it? Is this what 250 years has brought on us?’ I pray that that’s not the case,” he added.

The following pages include responses from Christian leaders nationwide, some of whom knew Kirk well and participated in TPUSA’s Pastors Summit held just weeks ago.

Franklin Graham 

In a post on his social media accounts at 5:45 p.m. EDT Wednesday, evangelist Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, acknowledged Kirk’s conservative activism, but, more importantly, he noted his deep faith in Christ that he boldly shared with others.

“What a tragedy. It has been announced that Charlie Kirk has died after being shot during an event at Utah Valley University today. This young man loved his country and invested his time and energy in trying to make it the best it could be. He stood boldly for conservative values and defended free speech for all of us,” he wrote.

Greg Laurie

Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship in California and Hawaii mourned the loss of Kirk and hailed his courage and “unwavering voice for biblical truth.” He also reminded believers of the assurance of salvation and that those who put their faith in Christ will one day be reunited with their loved ones.

“I’m sure many of you have heard the heartbreaking news — Charlie Kirk has died.

“This is an incredible loss. Charlie was such a courageous young man. He was not only a bold and unwavering voice for biblical truth in our culture, but also a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, a husband, and a family man. He will be deeply missed.

“As shocking as this news is, we can take comfort in knowing that Charlie is now in Heaven.

“The moment he took his last breath here on earth, he took his first breath in the presence of the Lord. That is the hope we hold on to as believers — eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

“Please join me in praying for Charlie’s wife and children during this unimaginable time. May the God of all comfort surround them with peace and strength.”

In an interview with TBN Wednesday night, Laurie, who shared that he was among the pastors who spoke at Turning Point USA’s Faith Forward Pastors Summit in California in early August, said he was in a state of “shock and deep sorrow.” But he also encouraged Christians to reflect on the message of Holocaust survivor Corrie Ten Boom, who is credited with saying, “A life is not measured by its duration, but by its donation.”

Laurie reflected on all that Kirk had achieved in his 31 years of life: starting TPUSA at age 18, followed by his most important roles as a husband and father.

“I just spoke at one of their events only a few weeks ago. And then I said to the pastors who gathered how important I thought Charlie’s voice was. And as it has been said, he was such a profound voice on political issues, but also on spiritual issues,” he added. Illustrating his point, Laurie noted that although the media often describe Kirk as a “political activist” or “right-wing activist” … “first and foremost, he was Charlie Kirk Christian, and then he was Charlie Kirk, husband and father.”

Lauding Kirk’s masterful ability to debate people of opposing views and even be conciliatory when some spewed insults at him to try to rile him up, Laurie said, “he would come back and respond logically and calmly to the inflamed rhetoric.”

But for Laurie, whose son, Christopher, died at age 33 while driving to church one Sunday morning, he offered his thoughts from the perspective of a father and pastor in moments like this that don’t make sense. “I know at a time like this, we ask why. Why would God allow a young man with so much life ahead of him, with so much promise, with a beautiful young family, two children, to die such a horrific death? …

“Let me just say, Charlie is in Heaven. I think that’s very important to remember. He’s in Heaven. The moment he took his last breath on Earth, he took his first breath in Heaven. Charlie is safe in the arms of Jesus because he put his faith in Christ.”

While there are no answers to the “why?” question, Laurie focused on the “what,” reflecting on how Kirk unabashedly shared his faith “without any hesitation.”

He advised those who followed Kirk to continue his legacy by emulating his example of boldly sharing the Gospel: “Be bold for your faith. Speak truth to the culture. Don’t be ashamed. Don’t be embarrassed. Charlie was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.”

“Charlie lived a full life. He lived his life well. He made a great donation, but we thank God that he lived his life well.”

Samuel Rodriguez

Pastor Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, who also recently spoke at TPUSA’s Faith Forward Pastors Summit in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, shared his grief and outpouring of prayers.

“Our hearts and prayers are with the entire Kirk family as we grieve the death of Charlie Kirk,” he wrote on social media. “We are deeply saddened by the news of this horrific shooting. In moments like these we remember the words of the psalmist, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

“Almighty God, we need You. We pray for Your comfort and for an abiding sense of Your presence to draw near as our nation grieves this loss. Amen.”

John Amanchukwu

Wednesday night, Pastor John Amanchukwu Sr., who, like Laurie and Rodriguez, spoke at TPUSA’s Faith Forward Pastors Summit, where he was unified with Kirk in a message calling on Christians to speak boldly against blatant evil in American culture, shared a strong and simple message: “Charlie Kirk, A Christian Martyr!”

Amanchukwu also shared a 37-minute video reflecting on Kirk’s life and work.

Charlie Kirk, A Christian Martyr!!!https://t.co/OOmrs1lB4Upic.twitter.com/e8TW1Po6HW

— John K. Amanchukwu Sr. (@REVWUTRUTH) September 11, 2025

In a separate and shorter clip just over two minutes long posted on his social media accounts, Amanchukwu sang a rendition of the well-known Christian gospel hymn “In the Sweet By and By” before sharing a message to Kirk’s followers and family.

“As we try to make sense of the senseless assassination of Charlie Kirk today, words are few, but the Word of God is still the most potent thing that we can turn to, even when our vocabulary is inadequate. The Bible tells us this: to live is Christ, but to die is gain. It also tells us that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

“Charlie Kirk led a national movement for over a decade. He would have these ‘prove-me-wrong’ tabling events, and no one could prove him wrong. And even today, an assassin’s bullet could not prove him wrong. You want to know why? Because truth is immortal and truth is eternal.

“You can’t kill the truth, can’t shoot the truth, can’t stop the truth. You can’t block the truth. And you can hide the truth and unrighteousness. You can dismiss the truth, but the truth is still going to come back and slap you in your face.

“Charlie Kirk is now a Christian martyr. He gave his life for the betterment of Western civilization. He lived amongst us for 31 years. Today, I want to acknowledge his family members that remain — his wife, Erica, and his two children and his extended family. May the hand of God be upon you in the days and weeks and months to come.”

Jentezen Franklin

Pastor Jentezen Franklin of Free Chapel, a multi-campus church based in Georgia, shared prayers for Kirk on Wednesday afternoon after first learning that he had been shot, and again hours later when it was announced that he did not survive the targeted attack on his life.

In a post on social media Wednesday night, Frankin said, “Today, Charlie Kirk was engaged in one of the most quintessentially American things possible. He was peacefully debating his fellow citizens in a spirited conversation. A bullet may have ended his life here on earth, but he is now safely in the arms of Jesus.”

He continued: “I remember the day I met him. He was there with his beautiful girlfriend Erika, who he would end up marrying. A brilliant mind and profound speaker, Charlie was a national treasure. I’m filled with grief for Charlie’s wife and children. God is indeed near to the brokenhearted, and I’m praying He wraps His arms around them tonight.”

Dr. Ben Carson

Dr. Ben Carson, a former neurosurgeon and former secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development during President Donald Trump’s first administration, shared several posts offering prayers for Kirk’s family and the reliance on faith in such difficult times.

Among the messages reposted by Carson was a video shared by Armstrong Williams  of Kirk explaining his Christian apologetic, along with a tribute to the late conservative Christian activist:

“Charlie Kirk closed his eyes to this earth for the last time … and opened them to eternity for the first. A powerful video where he shares his journey of faith. His life was short, but a life well-lived. Rest in peace, brother. Your wisdom will echo through the lives you’ve touched, and your influence will remain forever irreplaceable.”

Jack Hibbs

Pastor Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, who also spoke at TPUSA’s Faith Forward Pastors Summit in California last month, shared his reflections in a statement provided to The Christian Post on Wednesday night.

“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 role 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 Him 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.

“Awaiting His Return, Pastor Jack Hibbs”.

Do you have any prayers for Charlie Kirk or any spiritual leaders? Share your prayers, scriptures, and revelations with us below.

This article was originally published at The Christian Post. Photo: Greg Skidmore via Flickr.