Religious revival event being held at Utah campus where Charlie Kirk was killed
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A Christian evangelism event expected to draw 10,000 people will be held Sunday at the University of Utah, where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed two months ago.
Pastor Greg Laurie, founder of Harvest Crusades and senior pastor of Harvest Church in Southern California, is hosting a one-day event called “Hope for America” at Utah Valley University at 6 p.m. Tickets are sold out, but the event will be streamed online for free.
Laurie said it was intentional that the revival was held on the campus where the tragedy occurred.
“This community has experienced an unimaginable tragedy, and we believe the message of hope found in Jesus Christ is exactly what is needed right now,” Laurie told Fox News Digital. “From tragedy, God can bring healing, unity and rebirth. Our prayer is that this event will remind people that evil does not have the last word, Christ has the last word.”
A picture of slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was placed at a memorial in his honor at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. (Jim Urquhart/Reuters)
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Harvest Church says it has reached millions through its large-scale evangelism activities over the past 35 years. Harvest had been working with local churches in Salt Lake City for two years to bring an event to the area, but Kirk’s death accelerated those plans, Laurie said.
“When we heard about Charlie Kirk’s assassination, we immediately reached out to pastors in Utah and asked how we could support them,” Laurie recalled. “They said, ‘Come sooner. Our society is suffering.'”
According to Laurie, they planned the event in just six weeks; This is a record time compared to the usual preparation process, which takes a year.
“But there is an urgency right now, and we believe the message of the gospel is the answer,” Laurie said.
Pastor Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Church in Riverside, California, will lead the Sunday evangelism event at Utah Valley University. (Hasat.org)
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Kirk, a devout Christian and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on a Utah campus on Sept. 10 while hosting a campus tour for the conservative student organization.
In the weeks following his assassination, Bible sales increased by 36%That follows a reported 22% increase in sales in 2024, according to an analysis by The Wall Street Journal.
Some faith leaders also reported an increase in church attendance.
Laurie said she has noticed a growing “openness to spiritual things” among young adults, who she believes are increasingly disillusioned with secular culture.
A Harvest Crusade event will be held at Utah Valley University on Sunday, November 16th. (Hasat.org)
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“They are looking for truth, authenticity and lasting hope,” he said. “At Harvest, we are watching students, young adults, and entire families respond to the gospel in record numbers.”
Laurie added that his prayer was to “fuel the fire” of what he described as a nationwide spiritual awakening for the upcoming event.
He hopes Christians will be inspired and challenged to continue Kirk’s legacy of living a “fearless” faith.
“It was Jim Elliot who said, ‘I’m not looking for a long life, but a full life like you, Lord Jesus,’” said Laurie, quoting the famous missionary who was killed while trying to preach the gospel to an indigenous tribe in Ecuador in 1956.
Charlie Kirk tips his hat to the crowd after arriving at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on September 10, 2025. (Trent Nelson/Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)
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“Charlie Kirk’s life was an example of a full life. It is also a challenge for Christians today, especially young Christians, to live a bold, fearless life of faith. Charlie lived and died for that kind of faith,” he continued.
He shared one of Kirk’s comments about his faith: “[Kirk] He once said: ‘Without Jesus I am nothing. I am a sinner. I feel incredibly deprived of the glory of God. We all are. I have dedicated my life to the Lord…and everything I do involves Jesus Christ. I want to be remembered as courageous for my faith. The most important thing is my faith.”
“We have the baton now,” said Laurie. “When Charlie held the microphone, he was passing us the torch.”
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Christian singers Chris Tomlin and Phil Wickham are scheduled to lead worship at Sunday evening’s event. Both musicians performed at Kirk’s funeral in September.
Laurie also said, “We will go into that dark place, shine the bright light of Jesus Christ, and preach the gospel that Charlie believed.” talked about the incident. “What was intended for evil will turn into good.”
