The memorial service for Charlie Kirk, conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, took place on September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The event was titled “Building A Legacy: Remembering Charlie Kirk.”
Over 90,000 people attended, with 60,000 people inside the stadium, and the overflow crowd directed to nearby Desert Diamond Arena. Charlie Kirk touched so many people! Attendees were asked to wear their “Sunday best” red, white, and blue patriotic attire rather than traditional funeral black.
TPUSA did a tremendous job pulling off such a major history-making event with only ten days to prepare! The memorial service was designated a Special Event Assessment Rating Level 1 by the Department of Homeland Security, the highest security classification reserved for important national events.
The memorial service was like the who’s who of famous conservatives. It was truly remarkable to see the President of the United States, the next people in line of succession, and many other high profile members of government all gathered under one roof, at the same time. When does that ever happen!
The event was first come, first served, and attendees started arriving as early as 2:00 am, if not before. It was a long wait, but the lines were orderly and everyone was friendly. Anyone who wasn’t in line by about 5:30 am didn’t make it into the stadium.
I was in Section 122, Row 24, Seat 6.
It was a long day. It was a painful memory. It was hard to get through all the lines and into the building. But then something amazing happened.
Charlie Kirk’s memorial service turned into a revival.
Worship
This memorial service not only honored Charlie Kirk’s life and legacy but also brought together a community of faith through music and worship. The official service began at 11:00 am local time and ended at 4:10 pm.
Before that, from 8:00 am to 11:00 am, there was nonstop worship music led by Brandon Lake, Chris Tomlin, Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe Carnes, and Phil Wickham. Brandon Lake’s heartfelt performance of “Graves Into Gardens” was awesome.
It was amazing seeing that many people in an enormous arena worshiping God for almost three hours straight! Moreover, this was streaming live around the whole world, with millions of people watching it and worshiping along!
Country singer Lee Greenwood also made an appearance, singing “God Bless the USA.” I found out later that the playlist was based on Charlie Kirk’s favorite songs.
The Gospel
The gospel was preached over and over again at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service. Rob McCoy, Charlie Kirk’s pastor, was the first to come out on stage and preach the gospel. He even gave people a chance to respond. Likewise, Frank Turek, a Christian apologist, dropped a gospel bomb.
Not only that, but a lot of the highest political offices in the country were also coming on and talking about God. I watched speaker after speaker proclaim the name of Jesus, openly and without hesitation. I watched hundreds stand to their feet to accept Christ as their Savior. I watched people pray over complete strangers. I wasn’t expecting five whole hours of famous people and politicians speaking about their faith!
Imagine millions and millions of people around the world who have never heard the gospel were now listening intently because of the great outpouring of sadness from the United States over the murder of Charlie Kirk. Now their curiosity is piqued and they hear everyone on the live stream talking about Jesus Christ. It is so clear that God uses the death of his martyrs to get the truth out to all mankind because He has mercy on us.
The Charlie Kirk memorial was possibly the widest spread message of the gospel ever presented to the world, both to Christians and non-Christians alike. Charlie Kirk in his death probably got the message out to more non-Christians than during his entire life. Millions who have never heard the truth now have.
It was as if Jesus Himself was present in that service. I am certain that the Holy Spirit was ready when all of these people said in their hearts, “Who is this Jesus?”
A God-Honoring Government
Some people may not have appreciated that Charlie Kirk’s memorial service was like a national political rally with so many conservative politicians, pundits, and President Trump being there, but I loved it and I’m sure Charlie Kirk would have, too. President Donald Trump concluded Kirk’s memorial service with remarks honoring the TPUSA founder, intertwining themes of politics and Christianity. How awesome was it to see the President of the United States and many others publicly declaring that Jesus is Lord!
Think about it… government operatives from countries all around the world would have been given the assignment to report on what was being said by the President, the Vice President, members of the Cabinet, the Speaker of the House, the Secretary of State, and many other representatives of the United States. But these important leaders weren’t giving political speeches; they were speaking about God, Jesus, and faith.
This was not a government forcing its will on the people. We’re not a theocracy where people are imprisoned for not worshiping God. But our country was founded as a Christian nation. Politicians, government, citizens alike, are obligated to follow God’s commandments whether they are religious or not, and whether they like it or not. The Bible says that if a nation gives honor to God, that nation will be blessed.
Notable Speakers
- President Donald Trump
- Vice President JD Vance
- Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow
- Donald Trump Jr.
- Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services
- Dr. Ben Carson, Vice Chair of the Religious Liberty Commission
- Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
- Pete Hegseth, Secretary of War
- Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence
- Kari Lake, CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media
- Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff
- Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff
- Sergio Gor, White House Presidential Personnel Office Director
- Benny Johnson, conservative political commentator
- Jack Posobiec, MAGA influencer and internet personality
- Anna Paulina Luna, U.S. Rep. R-FL
- Frank Turek, Christian apologist
- Stacy Sheridan, Senior advancement director at TPUSA
- Andrew Kolvet, TPUSA spokesman
- Kristi Noem, Department of Homeland Security Secretary
- Tucker Carlson, conservative commentator
Notable Attendees
- Elon Musk
- U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL)
- U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO)
- U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins
- U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum
- U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer
- U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy
- U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon
- Jared Kushner
- Glenn Beck
- Reince Priebus
- Steve Bannon, Former White House strategist
- Sheriff Joe Arpaio
- Dinesh and Debbie D’Souza, Conservative filmmakers
- Mike Winger, Bible Thinker
Probably even more that I’m not aware of!
A Message of Forgiveness
If I had to choose the one most unforgettable part of the service, it would have to be when Erica Kirk gave the speech of all speeches. Still grieving, she was both broken and brave when she went up to the podium. I watched her eyes look up to Heaven as if begging God…and Charlie…for the strength to utter the words.
“My husband, Charlie, he wanted to save young men just like the one who took his life. That young man, that young man on the cross, our Savior said, “I forgive them for they know not what they do.” That man, that young man, I forgive him. I forgive him for they know not what they do. I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do.”
I sat there stunned, with tears in my eyes, because what she said must have been so hard, when the pain was still so fresh, but it was a beautiful testimony of her faith in God and it was the right way to honor Charlie.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a powerful event in real time.
It was an amazing day, Charlie Kirk. And it was holy.
“Well done, good and faithful servant!” —Matthew 25:21
