By BRENDA JOSEPHSON
Community members filled the Palmer Church on the Rock for a vigil honoring Charlie Kirk, the late founder of Turning Point USA and a notable conservative activist. The event, organized by the Republican Party and local pastors with considerable assistance from Rep. Cathy Tilton, emphasized Kirk’s significant impact on faith, truth, and civic engagement.
The vigil, which took place without music or food, filled the church’s sanctuary to capacity, leaving only standing room available. Overflow attendees gathered in the lobby and outside to pay their respects. The evening fostered a spirit of unity and introspection, as attendees prayed for strength, protection, and the ongoing faith revival that Kirk passionately advocated.
Local pastors, Vic Fonov, Josh O’Donnell, Joelle Sanchez, and Patrick Napier delivered heartfelt remarks that emphasized Kirk’s dedication to sharing his faith and promoting conservative values.
Several legislators were present, including Reps. Rauscher, McCabe, Tilton, Underwood, and Johnson, along with Sen. Shower and Mat-Su assembly member Dimitri Fonov. Alaska Republican Party Chair Carmela Warfield addressed the crowd, sharing messages of hope and resilience.
Alaska governor candidate Adam Crum captured the significance of the event by stating, “The overwhelming support that showed up clearly demonstrates that Charlie Kirk’s impact cannot be overstated. Almost 1,000 people came together to pray for strength, protection, and the ongoing faith revival across our nation. In this way, we honor Charlie, who devoted his life to spreading the Gospel and truth.”
Josh Hanson, Vice Chair of ARP District 25, shared his thoughts: “It was good to see the community come together in the face of online criticism to honor Charlie Kirk, a person of deep faith and conviction, who made significant contributions to the conservative movement. I hope Charlie’s life inspires us as Christians and especially members of the Alaska Republican Party to boldly and courageously stand for the truth and our values.”
Senator Shelley Hughes, who was unable to attend due to her travels in Israel, sent her campaign coordinator to represent her at the vigil. In a statement shared on Facebook, Hughes expressed her condolences, stating, “My heart goes out to his dear wife and sweet children for this unjustified tragedy. I hope that, as his legacy, we can follow the path he modeled, emphasizing civil discourse and critical thinking skills, regardless of where individuals fall on the political spectrum.”
Pastor Josh O’Donnell offered words of consolation and encouragement, stating, “Evil didn’t win this week. While we grieve the heartbreaking loss of one of the most faithful, courageous, and brilliant Christians we’ve ever had the privilege to witness in this generation… Evil didn’t win. This hateful act may seem like a victory for darkness, but we already see it sparking a fire within countless others, inspiring them to rise up tenfold in his passion for Jesus and this nation.”
The vigil, largely organized through the dedicated efforts of Rep. Cathy Tilton, served as a poignant reminder of Kirk’s significant influence. Alaskans came together, filling every available space, to mourn his loss and commit to advancing his mission of promoting truth and unity.
Brenda Josephson is a board member of Alaska Gold Communications, Inc., the publisher of Must Read Alaska. You can contact her via email at [email protected].