An Invitation to PRAY

Peace be with you,

Like many of you, I have been deeply saddened and troubled by the news of Charlie Kirk’s murder. Though we took some time at Bible study to process our initial reactions on the night of the assassination, your pastoral team has not addressed this horrible act formally during Sunday worship. This was a failure in leadership on my part.

I want to be clear that the words below are mine and mine alone - I do not presume to be able to articulate the feelings that Pastor Deserea and Pastor Chuck are each processing for themselves about this event.

This violent act has shaken not only those who knew Charlie Kirk, but all of us who claim Christ as our Savior, and who are not ashamed to share the Gospel in this world that desperately needs it. As a church that cares deeply about faith and what it means to live in a society marked by love, we cannot just stand by and be silent in the face of violence in any form. We are privileged to live in a country where we are free to practice our faith freely. However, we also need to be aware of the risks associated with speaking our faith and hope into the world. There is evil in the world, and we are surrounded by it. It was true in Jesus' time, and it remains true today.

I do not intend this letter as a political statement. As Christians, our hope is not in politics, but in the One we declare King, Lord, and Savior. This heinous act hits close to home for us as brothers and sisters in Christ. I write this to help us process together our reactions, responses, and how our faith calls us to walk in the midst of sorrow, grief, anger, and even fear.

Grief is real, even if we don’t share views.
Though I generally agree with Charlie Kirk’s perspectives, I recognize that everyone who reads these words may not. However, we can all agree that the loss of human life is heartbreaking. The grief, the shock, the fear this kind of violence creates is real. As followers of Christ, we do not rejoice in death. We grieve with communities torn by tragedy, and we afford space to those who need time on their own to process their feelings.

Rhetoric has consequences.
Our words do not float in a vacuum. They have a lasting impact. They shape culture. They influence people. Words matter. How they are used, on either side of an argument, matters. This event demands that we examine how we speak to one another, even those with whom we strongly disagree. Our calling is to something higher: to truth spoken in love. I believe that was Charlie’s intent and mission.

Love must be our response — even when difficult.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing in the weeks since his death has been the response of Charlie’s widow, Erika Kirk, who expressed forgiveness toward the alleged shooter yesterday during the memorial service. Forgiveness doesn’t mean minimizing what happened. It doesn’t mean pretending that justice does not matter. But it reflects what Christ calls us to: doing what He did, even when the cost is high. Mercy, compassion, and humility are the way of the cross.

We must act as peacemakers.
Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” We are called to be peacemakers in our homes, in our churches, and in our public conversations. We can hold our convictions firmly and still treat others with respect. We can grieve violence, promote peace, and ask God to sanctify our speech and our hearts.

As a church, I invite us to P.R.A.Y. in the wake of this tragedy and in response to every act of violence.

Pray. Pray for the family of Charlie Kirk, for the accused, for the bereaved, and for peace to prevail in our land.

Reflect. I’m going to spend time examining my own speech. I invite you to do the same. Where have I contributed to division? Have I spoken in a way that builds up or tears down?

Act and speak with humility. When we engage in debate — in person or online — let us strive for kindness, clarity, and love. Don’t take the click or rage bait. Let us resist anger when it tempts us. Jesus was firm in his convictions while exhibiting meekness (strength in restraint). Especially online, let me encourage you toward meekness.

Yearn to love our neighbors. Especially those whose views differ from ours. Let us show kindness, even if we do not agree. Let us practice hospitality, listening, and generosity.

Tragedy like this forces us to ask essential questions: What kind of people are we called to be? How do we love when it hurts? How do we live faithfully in times of chaos and fear?

I believe, and I hope you believe with me, that our faith points us toward sacrificial love, forgiveness, justice, and peace. It may be hard. It may cost us something. It cost Charlie Kirk his life. That is the path Jesus walked, and that is the path He calls us to follow.

Let us hold each other up. Let us pray. And let us let our lives be the kind of witness that turns wounds into grace.

With love and sorrow and hope,
Pastor Walt