Pastors, Evangelical leaders react to the killing of Charlie Kirk

By CP StaffThursday, September 11, 2025Turning Point USA executive director Charlie Kirk speaks during Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center on Dec. 22, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona. The annual four day conference geared toward energizing and connecting conservative youth hosts some of the country’s leading conservative politicians and activists. | Rebecca Noble/Getty ImagesChristian pastors and Evangelical leaders are joining a chorus of Americans nationwide who are mourning the loss of Christian social activist Charlie Kirk.While grieving over the loss to 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.  Many questions remain about the identity of the shooter who, with one lone bullet, killed Kirk during a Q&A with attendees during his “The American Comeback Tour” hosted by TPUSA 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 to its 250th anniversary and the shared history of the freedom of speech and debate, which Kirk was exercising, in the exchange of ideas, to think deeply on “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.”The following pages include responses from Christian leaders nationwide, some of whom knew Kirk well and participated in the TPUSA’s Pastors Summit held just weeks ago.