Dr. Derwin Gray, pastor of Transformation Church in Indian Land, South Carolina, posted prior to Kirk’s death, “Let’s pray for Charlie Kirk. He has been shot. This madness must end. We need peacemakers.” Pastor Andy Stanley of Atlanta-area North Point Community Church posted, “Our hearts are broken for Erika and the children.”
Dwight McKissic, senior pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, in one post called on people to “denounce, decry, this senseless demonic shooting.” In another, McKissic again denounced the shooting and affirmed his belief that Kirk was a born-again Christian while at the same time stating that, when it came to race-related issues, he “disagreed with every word I’ve heard [Kirk] speak thus far.”
“Violence in every form should be rejected—especially for followers of Jesus,” said Rich Villodas, pastor of New Life Fellowship in Queens, New York. “My prayers are with Charlie Kirk and our country as a whole.”
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“Words utterly escape me. I am heartbroken. Praying for his kids and family. God have mercy,” said Dr. J.D. Greear, pastor of The Summit Church in Durham, North Carolina. “This is not democracy. Lord help us. I urge you to pray with me, ‘We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you.’”
“I’m shocked and grieved at the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk. The root of hatred is boiling over into murder,” said Rev. Dr. Glenn Packiam, pastor of Rockharbor Church in Costa Mesa, California. “We need to be cured of this sickness. There is a better Way. We need to repent, to humble ourselves, and to call upon the name of Jesus. Lord, have mercy.”
Kevin DeYoung, pastor of Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, North Carolina, said, “I don’t normally comment on the news of the day, but the shooting of Charlie Kirk is so wicked and so grievous.”
“It’s sad to see my own kids affected. Like many Gen Zers, they love his videos. I’m grateful for the many times he clearly and cheerfully made much of Jesus Christ,” said DeYoung. “If you want to honor his legacy, pick up a Bible, read about Jesus, and see what Kirk believed in. May God bless his family. May God bless America.”
Pastor and former Southern Baptist Convention President Bart Barber said, “Praying for the family of Charlie Kirk. People are not political avatars; they are creations of God, made in His image. Murder is not merely the deprivation of someone’s God-given right to life; it is an offense directly against God Himself.
Pastor and Oklahoma State Sen. Dusty Deevers, voiced anger over Kirk’s murder in one post in which he called on men to stand for their values with conviction instead of being “weak” and “effeminate.”
“Speaking and acting upon the truth has a price,” Deevers said in another post. “Charlie Kirk followed in the steps of many Christian martyrs. Take up your cross.”
Author and activist Shane Claiborne said, “My heart goes out to Charlie Kirk’s family and all who loved him… especially his wife, Erika, and their two precious children. We must never rejoice in death. My faith teaches me not just to refuse to kill, but also to refuse to hate.”
“And so this is a somber moment,” said Claiborne. “Charlie Kirk was someone’s child, someone’s husband, someone’s dad… and he is a child of God, made in the image of God.”
Author and commentator Eric Metaxas joined those labeling Kirk a martyr. “It’s not too soon to say it: Charlie Kirk is a martyr,” said Metaxas. “He was killed for his faith in Jesus, which was behind EVERYTHING he believed politically & otherwise. We must all know that. He wasn’t merely a political activist. It all came out of his faith in Jesus Christ. TURN TO JESUS.”
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