In Scottish, “kirk” means “church.” This is a surge in church attendance, which is perhaps a proper observation, in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s murder, and appears to have followed his assassination.
While speaking to Deseret News earlier this year, Kirk said the secular world needs to point out “back to the church, return to faith, get married and have children.”
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In his death, tragically – the founder of Turning Point USA appears to be able to get his wish.
Matt Selusen, co-founder of the Newman Department of Catholic University Organization, told the Catholic News Agency on Monday that he spoke with leaders from departments across the United States for the first few days since Kirk’s murder. He said leaders who spoke with him told him “they saw a huge crowd,” including many people who “have never seen them before.”
“I’m not talking to people who haven’t seen a mass attendance increase,” he said. “Some schools are reporting a 15% increase.”
Zerrusen added that many people are looking for spiritual guidance.
“A lot of people ask, ‘What do I do?’ “What is evil?” “How does God allow this?” he said. “They ask so many basic questions.”
And social media was full of people sharing the people they were attending church services for the first time.
“I went to church today,” revealed a Tiktok user named Brittany. “It was my first time in 20 years for Devin and I. It was my first time for the kids. After last week’s events, Devin and I talked a lot about the life we want for ourselves and what boys want.”
“I went to church today. It was my first time in 20 years.”
“We’re raising three boys who will one day become men, and we want those boys to be as strong in their beliefs as Charlie Kirk.”
“It was Charlie Kirk’s fault that we went to church today.”
I love this!!! pic.twitter.com/o9ltaav9hf
– Tony™ (@tonyxtwo) September 15, 2025
She continued. “(w)e is raising three boys who will one day become men. We want a boy who is as strong in their beliefs as Charlie Kirk.
“I hope that people who are visiting church for the first time today, those who are buying the Bible for the first time, and those who are returning to church like us will not stop for you,” she added. “And we and our families are our mission to continue living a life worthy of Charlie Kirk.”
Another Tiktok user posted from an unknown location where he had to park a few blocks from the church service as there were plenty of people on Sundays.
“Thank you, yes,” he said. “Thank you, Charlie.”
“Charlie Kirk, look at what you did. There’s no parking. There’s no parking at all. No. We had to park five blocks from the church.
Charlie effect. I love this! pic.twitter.com/vsg5ho0k9p
– Tony™ (@tonyxtwo) September 15, 2025
“I don’t talk much about religion, but I’m going to church this weekend,” X-user wrote. “It’s been a long time since it’s not Easter or Christmas.”
I don’t talk much about religion, but I’m going to church this weekend.
It’s the first time in a long time, not Easter or Christmas.
For Charlie. https://t.co/arurzgqthb
– Hardpass (@hardpass4) September 12, 2025
Another X user named Diesel Gamer posted, “Sitting here, in front of a church I’ve never stepped in, in front of a church a week ago, there are some emotions that I hadn’t even thought about going.”
The user behind the account said that “evil” that exists in the world cannot be denied.
“Charlie preached for all to come to God. I had never heard of it before. I agreed with almost everything else he had spoken about, but I didn’t think that part would apply to me,” added Diesel Gamer. “Of course, it did. And I will never forget him. Every time I stop by church, I probably remember Charlie.”
I had never even stepped into the church, sitting here. A week ago in front of church, I had never even thought about going.
Anxiety, fear, hope, anger, peace – all emotions occur at the same time.
This week’s event has pic.twitter.com/2wurntj1yr– Diesel Gamer (@dieselgamer88) September 14, 2025
Another viral video depicts a man who is first attending church after Kirk’s murder, and said the murdered 31-year-old was inspired to take her role as husband and father more seriously.
“I didn’t know Charlie Kirk, I’d never met that guy in my life before,” the man said in the video. “And I believe in God for something I’ve never done before in my life. I’m going to wear this suit to church. I’m going to church. I’m going to be a better husband, father and leader in my family. They deserve it.”
Charlie effect.
This guy has never owned a suit.
He never believes in God.
He’s going to church to wear it for Charlie. He wants to be a better father, husband and leader of his family.
🙏✝🙏✝️ #wearecharlie pic.twitter.com/l7kyz4da79– Girl Patriot (@girlpatriot1974) September 14, 2025
Keep praying for Kirk’s wife, Erika, their two children, and Kirk’s loved ones. Furthermore, I pray that God will use Christianity and the assassination of conservative influencers to attract more people to the gospel.
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