Turning Point USA of LU held a prayer vigil Sept. 10 on the steps of the Montview Student Union to mourn and honor the organization’s late founder, Charlie Kirk.
Hundreds of Liberty students gathered to pray for Kirk’s family and the political climate of America.
The conservative political activist and social media personality, Kirk, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University Sept. 10, while speaking to students on campus.
Kennedy Whetzel, the president of Liberty’s chapter of Turning Point USA, spoke about the impact Kirk has made not only on Liberty’s campus, but throughout the U.S.
“This is a very tough time for all of us … He did a lot for our country; he did a lot for our students. We will continue to blaze the path that he wanted us all to go down. All the wonderful things that he brought to us, we are going to continue to pursue and promote,” said Whetzel.
A representative for TPUSA of LU, Emily DeYoung, shared Psalm 46 with students, which was the same Psalm that Kirk’s wife, Erika, shared on X on the morning of his death.
The news of Kirk’s death affected students across Liberty’s campus. Freshman Gavin Holmes said he was at marching band practice when the news broke. He said their director paused practice and informed the team of the incident.
“It made me angry that this is the world that we live in, but I know Charlie is home, I know he is with God now,” Holmes said.
Holmes said it was hard to describe the way he felt in that moment of learning of his death.
“It is hard to know that someone looked at that man and wanted to take his life away because they thought it would make things better,” Holmes said.
Sophomore Rebekah Parrish said she has followed Kirk’s work for years and that it was shocking to hear about the tragedy.
“It was just a reflection of how low society really is. We think that we are doing a lot better, and then something like this happens,” Parrish said.
Although this event has shattered many hearts, Parrish said she knows God is ultimately in control and Kirk’s death was not in vain.
“I hope that people will realize this is an attempt to attack Christians, attack our political viewpoints and attack conservatives. I hope they will realize we have God on our side, and I hope this brings peace,” Parrish said.
Riden is the on-campus news editor for the Liberty Champion.
David L. Ream, PhD
September 13, 2025
Hi,
My heart is heavy and yet hopeful. Heavy with the loss of the true voice of Charlie Kirk who spoke for all Americans and especially the young American Evangelicals such as coincide with the undergrad demographic at LU. Hopeful, eternally hopeful, as was Charlie, because our hope is in the unfailing, completed work of Christ. Let us in our own sphere of influence, walk out our Ephesians 2:10 calling in the same kind of courageous faith and love that Charlie Kirk showed. A life devoted to Christ that engaged our culture and set forth “The way” (John 14:6) to a lost and dying humanity.
“For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness. Therefore, let’s not fall asleep like others do, but let’s stay awake and be sober. For people who go to sleep, go to sleep at night; and people who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let’s be sober. We must put on the breastplate of faith and love, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God has not destined us to receive wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, who died for us in order that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. So then, encourage one another and build each other up, as you are doing” (1Th 5:5-11 ISV).
His life was poured out in service to our King and Savior, and he has begun realizing his eternal reward. May his example serve to exemplify the values and actions that guide each of us as we walk out our faith in the LORD Jesus Christ.
I heard Charlie say he never earned a degree and in one sense that is true. However, I witnessed Charlie receiving an honorary doctorate from Liberty University with all “the honors, rights, privileges, and responsibilities thereunto appertaining….” His degree was not earned in the classroom. As an autodidact, his desire to hear and obey God’s unique calling on his life to be a champion for Christ was how he earned his degree every day. He paid for it with prayers of faith, the blood of our Savior, the sweat of his brow, and the tears of a saint. As born-again saints, may we similarly respond to Christ’s call on our lives.
Ryan Helfenbein’s tribute to Charlie is linked here below. I pray that you will carry Charlie’s legacy forward as you live out the specific calling to become the champion for Christ for which He has graced you.
https://www.standingforfreedom.com/2025/09/12/when-freedom-is-under-fire-charlie-kirk-and-americas-call-to-courage/
Finally, if I may support you in living out your calling, please reach out.
God Bless,
David L. Ream, PhD
dlream@liberty.edu
(Dr. DReam)