by Dana Smith, Senior Director of Brand Strategy and Engagement • 4 minutes
I had an opportunity of a lifetime this Sunday attending the memorial service for Charlie Kirk in person with my husband and our closest friends. It was an honor—one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had, and I would venture a guess that everyone who attended would share that sentiment.
The atmosphere, the feeling, the power, the awe, the emotions—I felt all of those things. And, yes – I cried a lot. But, I prayed, I sang, I laughed, I cheered, and I honored someone who I respected, who I supported, and who I believed was making a tremendous impact in our country.
Turning Point USA reported that more than 100 million people streamed the service. I listened to almost every word from every speaker. Recounting some of their words, Tucker Carlson said, “as we proceed into whatever comes next, and clearly something’s coming next, remember this moment, remember being in a room with the Holy Spirit humming like a tuning fork.”
In a moment of self-reflection, Vice President Vance said he has spoken more about his faith in Jesus Christ since Charlie’s assassination than he has in the entire time in public life.
Beyond the individual speakers’ sentiments, what strikes me most is the red thread that connected every person who went up on stage to give tribute and pay their respects for Charlie: they spoke about faith. Every one of them.
President Trump, Erika Kirk, Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, Marco Rubio—they all spoke about faith openly, freely, confidently, boldly. Most spoke about their faith personally, but all spoke about Charlie’s faith. Charlie lived out boldly what First Liberty exists to protect for every American.
In our all-staff meeting Monday, one of our coworkers shared his experience at the memorial service with his 20-year-old son. Through tears, he recounted the moment during the memorial after Brandon Lake led “Worthy is the Lamb.” Hands were outstretched as people sang from their hearts and worshipped the Lord a cappella.
Then came a quiet lull. The camera focused on a banner of Charlie hanging from the rafters. Suddenly, cheering erupted from the crowd. Then, in a moment of unscripted unison, the stringed instruments and piano started to play and everyone in the stadium—nearly 70,000 people—lifted the placards that were in their seats.
The stadium became serenely peaceful, beautifully accompanied by music and signs outstretched from every seat. Kari Jobe quietly sang, “It is well with my soul.” Tens of thousands of people sang together, united in heart and spirit, singing openly, freely, confidently and boldly as they expressed their faith.
What transpired in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death has been called a “revival” of Christian faith. Some have even spoken of a Third Great Awakening in the United States. We have seen vigils and spontaneous worship around the globe. I heard Ben Ferguson tell the story of his Delta flight landing in Phoenix on Sunday morning and passengers breaking out in “Amazing Grace.” His video of it went viral within a few minutes.
Only God knows the impact that these events will have on our country. Whether it sustains and continues to grow, or gives way to the seeming fickleness of our culture, I feel confident this will undoubtedly impact First Liberty and those who have a heart for preserving religious liberty in America. Whether tens of thousands or just a handful, in the coming weeks, months, and years, people of faith in the United States will be more bold to openly and confidently speak about their faith while living out their faith – and First Liberty will be there to defend that right.
The memorial service for Charlie Kirk was closure for many after a horrific and public murder of a young husband and father. But I would offer my hope that it was something much more—much bigger.
For decades, many Americans have been oppressed and others discriminated against at school, at work, in the military and in public service. Countless expressions of faith were pent-up. As a result, many felt they couldn’t express their faith fully, fearful they’d be punished for living or voicing their beliefs.
I hope the memorial was the breaking of the dam—an opening of the floodgates to powerful expressions of faith like we’ve never seen before.
Resistance will certainly meet those who have been empowered, emboldened and freed to express their faith. That means First Liberty will undoubtedly have to rise to defend more Americans in their religious liberty rights than ever before. If this is truly a turning point in our country’s history, it is a flashpoint for religious freedom and for First Liberty.
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