By Bethany Blankley
The Center Square

In addition to expressing profound sorrow for the loss of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, pastors say they hope his death and life, marked by speaking what they said was the truth in love, will serve as a catalyst to return America “to a people of Godly values” and encourage believers “to fight for the future of our nation as he did.”

Houston-based Pastor Steve Riggle, who leads the U.S. Pastor Council, said he hoped the sacrifice of Kirk’s life “becomes the catalyst to return America to a people of Godly values.”

He hopes Kirk’s “faith in Jesus, his love for his family, his engaging wit and knowledge, his courage to stand up and speak up” will “challenge everyone else to do the same, cause all of us to fight for the future of our nation as he did. As in his life and now even more so in his death, may all of us courageously stand against the evil that so abounds in our day.”

“Charlie was a strong voice for Jesus Christ, for freedom of speech, and for principled, reasoned discourse,” Chad Connelly, founder of Faith Wins, said. “He was murdered for his faith and his commitment to telling the truth. One thing we know about Charlie is that whether you agreed with him politically or not, he was never ashamed to proclaim the name of Jesus and share the Gospel in how he lived.”

Multiple clips have been posted on social media of Kirk engaging with members of the public at events or on podcasts in which he describes his faith. In one exchange, he’s asked, “What would you actually want to tell me if I have 30 seconds left to live?” Kirk replied, “In 30 seconds you’re about to meet eternal judgment and … there’s only one way that you can get bailed out of that. It’s not all the good things you did or a moral scorecard. It’s whether or not you have Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.”

In response to another question about how he wanted to be remembered, he said, “for courage for my faith. That would be the most important thing.”

In another exchange, Kirk was asked why he was a Christian. He replied, “Jesus saved my life. I’m a sinner. Giving my life to Christ was the most important decision I ever made.” When asked if he believed the Bible was real, he replied, “Yes, it is true and real.” He went on to explain “that there’s never been an archaeological discovery that has contradicted the truth of the Bible,” adding, “there is not a truth of the Bible that if you apply to your life your life does not improve dramatically.”

He also described his faith in Jesus, saying, “We have the most accurate and transparent historically robust account that one can have of the most important figure ever to live in the history of the world, Jesus of Nazareth. His resurrection is the pinpoint of my belief that Jesus did rise from the grave so that we may live.”

Godspeak Calvary Chapel of Newbury Park, Calif., Pastor Emeritus Rob McCoy said Kirk’s life “will be remembered for many wonderful things. He built it all with the power of the spoken word. He never used violence but was threatened every day with violence by those who couldn’t contend with logic and truth and now they have done to my friend what evil always does; it takes away life.

“Charlie did not die however but instead he has begun to truly live. His life was secured eternally by His Savior Jesus Christ. This truth allowed Charlie to face every threat with courage because he didn’t fear death. All evil knows is death and they derive power from death. Charlie lived for life and will be remembered for this. … Evil has not prevailed and it will not win.”

Another Faith Wins leader in Des Moines, Iowa, Church of the Way Pastor Terry Amann told The Center Square that Kirk was murdered for “his unwavering faith in Jesus Christ and his uncanny ability to connect with Generation Z.” Kirk was “confident in the Christian promise of eternal life. He was humble with how he spread that faith and he was urgent with the message of God’s love available through Jesus Christ to any who would receive it.” Young people “sensed truth in the man and were consequently drawn to it and to him.”

“As Christian believers we are comforted in knowing that Charlie Kirk went home to heaven,” Amann added, calling on everyone “to turn to Jesus, put our faith and trust in Him. When we do that, our sins are washed away, and the gates of heaven are open wide for us. Jesus is the only way. Charlie knew it and he spoke it with love. Charlie did many good works in his short life, but it was not his works that got him into heaven. It is God’s grace – His free gift offered to any who would receive it.”

Connelly also said that Kirk’s “life and ministry remind us that America was built on the ability to disagree without losing our minds.” His assassination challenged that principle “in the most tragic way – yet God can bring healing to our nation. His death is a sobering reminder of the evil around us, and of the spiritual and moral battles we face. Charlie spent his life confronting that evil, and may his passing inspire courage, conviction, and a renewed commitment to truth, justice, and faith.”