The conservative political world and Christian communities across the United States are in mourning after the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Kirk, only 31 years old, was gunned down at the very first stop of his highly anticipated "American Comeback Tour," an event that was supposed to energize his supporters and rally a new generation of political activists. Instead, it has left many grappling with the sudden loss of a man described by friends and colleagues as a passionate advocate, a faithful Christian, and a tireless defender of his country’s ideals.
Pastor Jack Hibbs, the founder and senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills in Southern California and a close friend of Kirk, has emerged as one of the most prominent voices reflecting on Kirk’s legacy. In a deeply personal statement shared with multiple outlets, including Fox News Digital and Newsmax, Hibbs praised Kirk for his unwavering faith and commitment to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, even in the face of fierce opposition. “I have had the honor of knowing Charlie Kirk well and personally for many years now. I cannot express how incredibly proud I have been of his faithful Christian witness and the way he has honored the Lord Jesus Christ with his life,” Hibbs said, according to Newsmax.
Hibbs’s words echo the sentiments of many who knew Kirk not just as a public figure, but as a person. “Charlie was known as an intellectual giant, a very compassionate young man, and one who was tirelessly devoted to this nation’s welfare and our glorious republic,” Hibbs continued. “I am humbled and blessed to have played a small role in Charlie’s discipleship, and I know nothing was more important to Charlie than knowing Jesus Christ.”
Kirk’s rise in American political life was meteoric. By the age of 31, he had built Turning Point USA into one of the country’s largest grassroots youth organizations, earning both admiration from supporters and criticism from detractors for his outspoken style and unwavering positions. As reported by Newsmax, Kirk became a powerful voice in conservative politics and a strong advocate for Christianity, particularly among young Americans. His ability to spark debate and energize crowds was matched by his devotion to his faith—a trait that Pastor Hibbs says was evident in every aspect of Kirk’s public life.
“Whenever Charlie debated anyone, no matter how mean, ugly, or abusive they were to him, Charlie always shared the gospel of Jesus Christ, the doctrine of the Cross, and the Hope of eternal life for anyone who would turn to Him in faith,” Hibbs wrote, as quoted by Newsmax. This commitment to sharing his beliefs, even in the heat of political battle, set Kirk apart and, according to Hibbs, inspired both admiration and respect—even among those who disagreed with him.
The relationship between Hibbs and Kirk extended far beyond public statements and media appearances. Over the last five years, the two worked closely together, appearing on each other’s podcasts and participating in numerous church and cultural events. Kirk was a frequent speaker at Hibbs’s church, where he tackled pressing topics such as abortion, biblical prophecy, and gender identity. According to Fox News Digital, Hibbs said that Kirk had “a love for the Bible,” and the two spent many years studying the Scriptures together. Their bond was deeply personal, rooted in shared values and a mutual desire to influence the nation’s direction through faith and action.
On the day of the assassination, Hibbs spoke to Kirk just hours before the Utah event began. Hibbs recalled asking Kirk if his brother could attend the event, to which Kirk graciously responded by offering a front-row seat. “Charlie was so kind and generous to let this stranger have a front row seat,” Hibbs recounted to Fox News Digital. “And I know that that was Charlie loving on me by loving on my brother. And that’s just who he was, extremely, extremely generous.” The tragic events that unfolded later that day were all the more personal for Hibbs, whose brother was just 25 to 35 feet away from Kirk when the shooting occurred. “My brother sent me pictures of him and Charlie, standing together before the event started and everything looked great,” Hibbs said. “And then my brother called me immediately during the shooting, I could hear people screaming and running, and my brother was about 25 to 35 feet away from Charlie.”
For Hibbs, Kirk’s assassination is more than just a personal loss or a blow to the conservative movement. He sees it as a moment that will galvanize Kirk’s followers and perhaps even his critics. “This just galvanized an entire generation of not only those who follow Charlie, but those who criticized him. They watched a young man lay down his life for his cause,” Hibbs said to Fox News Digital. “And I do believe that the result of today is going to backfire on anyone who had nefarious plots to silence Charlie.” He called Kirk an “American martyr” whose death will inspire a new generation of “untold Charlies who will follow in his footsteps.”
Hibbs’s message to those grieving is one of hope and resilience. He encourages friends, family, and supporters to remember that Kirk’s death is “not the end of Charlie” because of his faith in Jesus Christ. In his statement, Hibbs described Kirk’s passing as a “glorious graduation into the presence of Jesus Christ,” urging Christians to continue the mission Kirk championed. “It is now up to us to carry on the love, the defense and the courage that Charlie had in proclaiming Christ in America – his glowing vision that our nation would soon honor God and be great in His eyes by turning back to Him in all things.”
As the shock waves from Kirk’s assassination reverberate through both political and faith communities, the legacy of his work remains a rallying point for many. His wife Erika and their two young children now face a future without him, but the impact of his life—his advocacy, his faith, and his generosity—continues to inspire those who knew him and those who followed his work from afar. “We will see Charlie soon in the everlasting Kingdom of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” Hibbs concluded in his statement, echoing the hope that sustains many in times of tragedy.
In the aftermath of this devastating event, those closest to Kirk are left to carry forward his vision—one of faith, courage, and unwavering commitment to the causes he held dear. The road ahead may be uncertain, but the memory of Charlie Kirk’s life and work will undoubtedly shape the conversations and actions of a new generation determined to honor his legacy.