The church where Charlie Kirk worshipped in the Valley held a service to honor him the Sunday after he was killed.
PHOENIX — While emotions are still running high for those who knew Charlie Kirk personally, today–at the same Phoenix church where he often worshipped and hosted high-profile political rallies–it was a packed house for a different kind of service, one of many happening at several locations across the state this weekend.
Once a month, Charlie Kirk would attend Dream City Church in Phoenix, where he would speak at an event series called Freedom Night in America.
Today, they called it Freedom Day in America, in honor of Kirk.
“We pray that Charlie Kirk’s life would be celebrated today,” said Luke Barnett, senior pastor at Dream City Church. “…and Lord, it would be an example for all of us to follow as he followed you.”
On Sunday morning, a big crowd gathered to celebrate Charlie Kirk’s life, a life Barnett said was “lived well.”
In a time typically dedicated to a Sunday morning service, it was a different kind of service that included music and prayer.
“Jesus Christ wants to be that anchor for you in the storm,” said Barnett.
During the service, a video was shown of someone asking Kirk how he would want to be remembered.
“I want to be remembered… for courage for my faith,” Kirk answered in the recording.
“In the face of the darkness we’ve experienced this past week, there’s still hope,” something Kirk shared time and time again with everyone he crossed paths with, Bennet said.
In another recording they played for the crowd, Kirk could be heard telling someone:
“…there is not a truth of the Bible that if you apply to your life, your life does not improve dramatically.”
This version of Freedom Day in America gave those who attended a glimpse of what the church said Kirk took part in, giving a short talk before bringing a panel on, followed by Q&A.
“This week, Charlie Kirk passed home plate and heard the ultimate umpire, Jesus Christ, say ‘Well done,’” said Barnett.
A recording that a little girl got when she asked AI to generate what Kirk may say from heaven today was also played.
Over the loudspeaker, the crowd heard an AI-generated voice that sounded like Kirk, say:
“First, I want you to know, I’m fine, not because my body is fine, but because my soul is secure in Christ… death is not the end.”
The video went on to say:
“Do not let this violence divide us further…” among other things, like “…double down on truth, double down on courage, double down on faith and on your families.”
Barnett’s wife, Angel, shared about the day the couple first met Kirk five years ago.
“A journey began that day,” she said. “Distinctive moments in time where we were able to host President Trump and Turning Point Action…”
And Barnett’s father, Tommy, expressed his thoughts about Kirk and what Tommy said Kirk stood for.
“He knew where God had called him and for what he had called him, and he stuck with it,” he said.
Guest speaker Brandon Tatum told the crowd how they plan to keep Kirk’s mission moving forward.
“It will continue forever,” he said. “You can only kill the body, but not the legacy… and not the spirit.”
After an emotional week, people like Paul Billings, who attended Dream City Church for the first time, came away feeling motivated.
“I came in support for Charlie, but also I came in support for our savior Jesus Christ,” said Billings. “It’s exciting to see this movement.”
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