Charlie Kirk’s Death: Will The Church Rise Up?

Church leaders, Charlie Kirk's death has affected your congregation and community. Will you rise up to capture this moment for the furtherance of the gospel? – Clint Decker

Experts say on average, approximately 150,000 people die daily across the world. On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was just one of those thousands that were lost. However, the evidence is overwhelming that the impact of his death rises to monumental levels like that of 9/11 or the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert F. Kennedy or Martin Luther King, Jr. Before I began my message on Sunday I asked the church, “How many of you have heard of Charlie Kirk?” Nearly every hand went up. However, prior to September 10th, just a few in the church knew who he was. Pastors, this current event has affected your congregation and community. Are you capturing this moment for the furtherance of the gospel? Are you providing a pastoral and biblical response to the tragedy? (image from Charlie Kirk's funeral where the gospel was preached)

When Jesus began His public ministry, every day He worked at getting His message out through preaching, teaching and doing signs and wonders that people might believe and follow Him. However, as He went about each day, there always seemed to be interruptions.

On one occasion we see where Jesus was given the news about a terrible event, “There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.’” (Luke. 13:1-5) Jesus did not ignore the event, but directly addressed it, along with a second one. Look at how He did it. He rose above the politics, which they may have been trying to draw Him into, and spoke to the spiritual side, using it as an opportunity to preach the gospel. We see this repeatedly in Jesus’ ministry.

Church leaders, prayerfully observe the impact of Charlie Kirk’s death. Take some time. When you do, you will see the hot embers of revival and awakening are there. Do not miss this moment to preach the gospel and strengthen the church through it.

Yes, Charlie was deeply involved in politics. Yes, he took strong positions on a number of moral, cultural and political issues. For that alone, some church leaders may steer clear of him, but please do not be among those. He was also a committed Christian that publicly and privately lived for Christ and openly talked about Him before college students and powerful politicians.

Read these comments from just a few people, which are all over social media by the thousands, “I am 40 years old, and have five kids ages 20 to two and haven’t been to church in six years. This past Sunday we all went and will be going every Sunday from now on.” “I'm a 14-year-old girl and Charlie changed my life.” “I came off my faith, but the day he died I turned to Jesus.” “I think Jesus is knocking at my heart after Charlie's death.” “God has not been spoken so much in my house before Charlie died. His sacrifice has re-ignited in our household a love for God.”

Sarah Holliday, from The Washington Stand, succinctly wrote about Charlie’s death, “Across social media and news outlets, a groundswell is emerging. People are confessing ‘I’ve never been to church, but I’m feeling a pull to attend a Sunday service.’ Friends and family have shared with me that their churches were overflowing…a phenomenon echoed nationwide. Alongside this, lifelong atheists and skeptics are turning to prayer and seeking out Bibles…” Additionally, over 200,000 people attended Charlie’s funeral with over 100 million watching around the world, where the gospel message was given repeatedly with a call to Christ.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray for church leaders that you would open their eyes to see how the fields of people’s souls are ripe for harvest. May you give them wisdom and courage to embrace this moment for the sake of the Kingdom of God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.