Kirk recalled as man of faith at vigil Mourners gathered in Heritage Square Park to honor slain activist
JASON CHLAPEK
While many will remember Charlie Kirk as a political activist, mourners at a local vigil for the slain Republican stalwart also recalled him as a man of faith.
Kirk, the CEO and founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated Sept. 10 while conducting a debate at Utah Valley University in Utah. The nationally known figure rose to prominence while traveling to campuses during the last election cycle and helped raise support at the ballot for thencandidate President Donald Trump.
This past Sunday afternoon, nearly 100 locals gathered to pay tribute to Kirk in Heritage Square Park.
The strong faith espoused by the married father of two took center stage.
“(Kirk) was an evangelist of the Gospel, first and foremost,” said Caleb Ripple, elder at Christ Fellowship Church. “For a lot of Christians, they don’t make that connection. They see political involvement and don’t necessarily see the evangelism part of it, but he stood for truth and he stood for Christ.”
Ripple’s father, Jeff Ripple, is the lead pastor at Christ Fellowship, and also was one of the members of the Taylor Area Ministerial Alliance leading the vigil.
The event took place toward the end of Kirk’s funeral ceremony in Scottsdale, Arizona.
See KIRK • page 2
