Charlie Kirk’s Widow Vows to Carry Forward His Mission and Make it ‘Greater than Ever’
Michael Foust
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By Michael Foust, Crosswalk.com
Charlie Kirk’s widow said Friday she will carry forward the mission of Turning Point USA, pledging to expand its influence while keeping its focus on proclaiming Christ and reviving America.
Erika Kirk’s live address marked her first public remarks since an assassin’s bullet ended the life of her 31-year-old husband as he spoke to college students at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. He was the founder of Turning Point USA, a national conservative youth organization.
“My husband’s mission will not end,” she said.
She expressed the belief that God will turn her husband’s death into a catalyst for greater Kingdom impact, citing Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”
“Already, I have seen the worldwide outpouring of love for my husband. I've heard the testimonies from people my husband inspired to get married, to start families, to seek out a relationship with God.
“The evildoers responsible for my husband's assassination have no idea what they have done. They killed Charlie because he preached a message of patriotism, faith and of God's merciful love. They should all know this -- if you thought that my husband's mission was powerful before, you have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country, in this world.”
She vowed: “The fire that you have ignited within this wife -- the cries of this widow -- will echo around the world like a battle cry.
“To everyone listening tonight across America, the movement my husband built will not die. It won't. I refuse to let that happen.”
The movement will “become stronger, bolder, louder and greater than ever,” she said.
Erika Kirk urged students to join Turning Point USA as she also encouraged pastors to join TPUSA Faith. This fall’s campus tour, she announced, will continue.
“There will be even more tours in the years to come,” she said. “America Fest here in Phoenix, this December, will go on. It will be greater than ever. The radio and podcast show that he was so proud of will go on, and in a world filled with chaos, doubt and uncertainty, my husband's voice will remain, and it will ring out louder and more clearly than ever, and his wisdom will endure.”
She recounted the heartbreaking story of the couple’s 3-year-old daughter, Gigi, running into her arms and asking, “Where’s daddy?”
“I said: Baby, Daddy loves you so much. Don't you worry. He's on a work trip with Jesus so he can afford your blueberry budget.”
Erika Kirk also shared the gospel during her speech, noting her husband’s goal in life was to “make heaven crowded.”
“If you aren't a member of a church, I beg you to join one -- a Bible-believing church, [for] our battle is not simply a political one. Above all, it is spiritual. It is spiritual. The spiritual warfare is palpable. Charlie loved his Savior with all of his heart, and he wanted every one of you to know Him too. He wanted everyone to know that if they confess the Lord Jesus Christ, who rose from the dead, then they will be saved.”
She delivered her remarks from a podium positioned next to the chair where he had sat each day to host his podcast.
“I honestly have no idea what any of this means,” she said of his murder. “I know that God does.”
Photo Credit: ©YouTube/PBS NewsHour
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
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