5 ways Charlie and Erika Kirk championed God, marriage

People pay their respects during a candlelight vigil for Christian youth activist and influencer Charlie Kirk at a makeshift memorial at Orem City Center Park in Orem, Utah, a day after he was shot during a public event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 11, 2025. Kirk, a 31-year-old superstar who was credited with helping Donald Trump return to the presidency last year, was shot while addressing a large crowd at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
People pay their respects during a candlelight vigil for Christian youth activist and influencer Charlie Kirk at a makeshift memorial at Orem City Center Park in Orem, Utah, a day after he was shot during a public event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 11, 2025. Kirk, a 31-year-old superstar who was credited with helping Donald Trump return to the presidency last year, was shot while addressing a large crowd at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. | MELISSA MAJCHRZAK/AFP via Getty Images

3. Arizona church Charlie Kirk attended mourns his passing 

The Dream City Church in Phoenix, Arizona, issued a statement on Wednesday in response to the news that Charlie Kirk had been assassinated. In its statement, the church condemned the “unthinkable and senseless murder,” referring to the conservative activist as a “dear friend and partner in ministry” to the church. 

In addition to worshiping there, the TPUSA and TPUSA Faith founder also hosted events at the Dream City Church, according to NBC News affiliate KPNX. 

“His life was a testament to bold leadership, unwavering conviction, and a heart for revival. Charlie’s voice may be silenced, but his legacy will continue to echo through the lives he touched and the truths that he championed,” the Arizona-based church stated. 

“On behalf of the entire Dream City Church family, our hearts go out to Charlie’s beloved wife, Erika, his children, and the Turning Point community,” the church’s statement continued. “We are holding them close in prayer and standing with them in this time of unimaginable grief.” 

The statement credited Kirk with helping to advance the Christian faith through the church’s Freedom Night in America events. According to the Dream City Church website, the events, done in partnership with TPUSA Faith, exist “to explore the intersection of faith, freedom, and civic engagement.”

In a Thursday message, Dream City Church Senior Pastor Luke Barnett explained that the Freedom Nights came about after he met Kirk in 2020. Barnett explained that he provided the venue, while Kirk agreed to use his influence to bring speakers to the event. 

“Let's not let Charlie Kirk's death be in vain. Let's rise up like never before in the history of the church of our lives,” the senior pastor said. “Let's be good fruit.”

Samantha Kamman is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: samantha.kamman@christianpost.com. Follow her on Twitter: @Samantha_Kamman

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