Charlie Kirk memorial service in Weller Chapel draws over 150 attendees for faith connections, hymns, and prayers

Around 150 attendees gather in Weller Chapel for a memorial service on Monday night.

Photo credit: Nora Betts

By Nora Betts

Managing Editor

Around 150 students and a few faculty members gathered in Weller Chapel for a memorial service for Charlie Kirk on Monday night, sharing their personal connections to Kirk’s faith, singing hymns, and praying for those affected by violence.

Kirk, a conservative political commentator and outspoken Christian, was shot and killed on Sept. 10 while speaking at an event hosted by his organization, Turning Point USA, on the campus of Utah Valley University. He was 31.

Monday’s memorial event on Concordia’s campus was led by Noah Niederklein and affiliated with Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization that advocates for conservative politics on high school, college and university campuses. However, the memorial event was focused on Kirk’s legacy of Christian faith, not his political activism.

“Of course, [Kirk] is known for his political stances,” Niederklein said. “Whether you agree with him or not on those, that’s not what we’re here tonight for. We’re here to celebrate his proclamation of the Gospel and his bold faith in Jesus Christ, who we pray he is now with in Heaven.”

Attendees line up to write in a notebook for Kirk’s family. Photo: Nora Betts.

Sixteen students shared personal testimonies of faith, loss, and encouragement at Monday’s event, emphasizing how Kirk’s proclamation of the Gospel applied to or impacted their lives. Many of the students spoke about their shared Christian faith, expressed sympathies for Kirk’s family, and spoke of Kirk as a role model for boldly confessing religious beliefs.

“Students and faculty are invited to share testimonials of how Charlie has impacted them in their personal life or faith journey,” said Niederklein. “We pray that these personal stories show the impact of Charlie’s work here on campus and give glory to God for the work he has done through Christ.”

Adam Cruise said he had talked with Kirk in person and saw him as a role model who had no fear in his Christian faith. Cruise said he finds comfort in the belief that “no matter what other people think about Christ, Christ will love them back.”

David Claridge said he mourns for Kirk’s wife, Erika, and two young children. He said he takes comfort in Psalm 146:9, which says, “The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.” Claridge said that Christians should be praying for all people, including those who celebrate Kirk’s death.

Claridge said that Kirk was a “man of strong faith” who shared his beliefs “actively and often.” Although people want to compartmentalize aspects of their lives like politics, religion, and friendships, Claridge said that “faith is a part of every box.”

Jackson Lindburg said he believes that God has used Kirk in ways beyond his imagination. He said he thinks that Kirk’s Christian witness will be “rewarded with hundreds of brothers and sisters in Christ that otherwise wouldn’t have known Christ.”

Damian Montoto said that he has listened to Kirk’s debates and interviews since 2021. He said that Kirk helped him learn “how to be a godly Christian man for my future family, the people around me, and of course my future wife.”

Niederklein, who organized the event with Sam Olson and Aiden McKinnon, provided a notebook for students to write words of support and encouragement, which he hopes to get delivered to Kirk’s widow, children, and family members.

“Of course, I can’t promise that this [notebook] will get to their family, but I am in contact with someone who can make it possible,” Niederklein said. “The main goal with this is to show our support for Charlie’s wife, his kids, his family, and everyone else who has been growing close with him over the past 31 years.”

The attendees sang two hymns, “When Peace Like a River” and “Amazing Grace,” and closed the event with a prayer for Kirk’s family, for all victims of violence, for TurningPoint USA chapters, and for Christians finding comfort in Jesus’ resurrection.

“Ultimately, I want to thank God for bringing us together tonight so that we can continue to worship Him,” said Niederklein. “Even when we feel like we’re hopeless, we always have hope in the resurrection.”