Several leading contemporary Christian Music artists will be leading worship at the upcoming memorial service for late conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Sunday, Sept. 21. Brandon Lake, Chris Tomlin, Phil Wickham, Cody Carnes, and Kari Jobe Carnes are set to lead a time of worship during the service, according to the event’s website.
“Building A Legacy: Remembering Charlie Kirk” is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 21 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The event begins at 11 a.m. local time.
Other performers during the event will include “God Bless the USA” singer Lee Greenwood and recording artist Steve Amerson. Among those who will be offering remarks during the event are Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk, President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.
Kirk, who founded the youth conservative organization Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on Sept. 10 during a question-and-answer session at a Turning Point USA “The American Comeback Tour” event held at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Since Kirk’s passing, several music artists have spoken out, including Lake, Tomlin, Wickham, and Carnes.
Lake spoke out in a video on social media, stating in part, “This one hit me hard. Of course I’m praying for the family, and me and [Lake’s wife] Brittany have been processing the last two days and have been sick to our stomachs…I’ve been processing a few things. One, just the loss of his life and how that breaks my heart too, as someone who doesn’t do what he did but who’s representing Christ on a platform and large spaces with large crowds. I have felt two things: one, immediate fear. But then I have felt God remove that fear with his love and give me confidence and a renewed confidence and a surety that…I do believe this and I will represent this and share the Gospel no matter the cost and the way that I feel God’s calling me to do that.”
“And so I feel I feel a fire,” Lake continued, later adding, “I’m just trying my best to hear from God and represent him and encourage people.”
Tomlin wrote on Instagram, “My heart and prayers to Erika Kirk and her two children…what a tragic moment for our nation. I appreciate how Charlie was bold and unashamed in his faith…THE FURTHER A SOCIETY DRIFTS FROM THE TRUTH. THE MORE IT WILL HATE THOSE THAT SPEAK IT.”
Wickham also spoke out on Instagram, writing in part, “My heart is grieved and heavy. It’s difficult to process the horrific evil, hatred, and violence that we have seen in our country today and in this past week. I pray God’s hand of comfort and peace and nearness over Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones. That in the brokenness of their hearts God would meet them as He has promised to do.”
Carnes shared on Instagram, “Let us grieve the evil..and as we grieve, sow those seeds of love that snuff it out,” including Biblical scriptures such as Psalm 126:5 and John 1:5.
