Bob Thiel, Charlie Kirk, Dave Pack And Jesus

I caught a few moments of the Charlie Kirk memorial today as I was waiting for church to start. What I did see looked like a huge church service, revival, or whatever you want to call it. More was said about Jesus, the gospel message, grace, and forgiveness in the 10 minutes I watched than I have ever heard come out of the mouth of Bob Thiel in the last 12 years. You never hear this kind of message from the likes of such angry Church of God leaders as Dave Pack, Gerald Flurry, or most of the Church of God ministry.

What particularly struck me was later in the day, reading comments by people about the service. I collected a few of them below. 

Have you ever heard a person talk about Jesus, Christianity or faith after hearing the likes of Bob Thiel, Herbert Armstrong, or a Church of God minister as these people do? Have people ever reacted like this to the message of Armstrongism?

Regarding the amount of international press present:

I don’t know if there has ever been this much press from all over the World gathered in a place of Worship. Charlie has turned State Farm Stadium into a House of God and the message of Jesus Christ will reach people all across the Globe. I have chills.

From a Muslim woman:

I listened to Erika Kirk’s full speech at the memorial, and I want to share a few thoughts that came to me while live streaming the event. This is not political. 

First, I should say that I grew up as a Muslim in a Muslim country. I don’t know enough about Christianity to say if what I witnessed is rooted in faith or culture. But what struck me most was how, even though death is heavy and this was by nature a sad occasion, the entire event carried a celebratory spirit that honored life. 

That contrast hit me deeply. In Islam, even though we believe that good people go to heaven, the relationship with God is taught through fear. Funerals are overwhelmingly sad, often filled with warnings of the terrifying first night in the grave. Growing up hearing that, and then witnessing people celebrate life, speak of God’s love, and remember someone through the impact he had on others; it felt so refreshing, so positive. 

Second, I was profoundly moved by

@MrsErikaKirk

’s words. I cannot fathom the strength it takes to stand and deliver such a meaningful speech after losing the love of your life. But even more than that, the grace it takes to forgive the very person who destroyed your world. I cannot imagine myself standing on a stage, sending love to those who cheered your husband’s murder, or inviting others to spread God’s love in response because, as she said, “we do not respond to hate with hate.” That is powerful beyond words.

Again, I am ignorant when it comes to Christianity, but if this is what it truly embodies, then I am envious of those who get to experience that feeling. 

From a person inspired to go to church: 

I went to a church service for the first time last weekend, along with two vigils for Charlie Kirk. 

 

I was raised secular and I’m an atheist, but when he was killed, I felt a strong desire to be
around people like I never had before. 

At the service, the appeal became clear. What must it feel like to go through life never truly alone — to feel connected to someone who loves you and to believe you serve a higher purpose? 

It hit me then just how alone I have been my entire life. From an early age, I was disconnected from everyone. I became depressed as a child, and that turned into severe depression in adolescence. I went into self-destruct mode and my life went off the rails. But even after I got my life on a better track in my twenties, and developed a relationship with my parents, I still kept people at a distance. 

In church, seeing people so happy being connected to each other and to their God, it became apparent that this is likely a big reason conservatives tend to have better mental health than liberals. I can’t know how my life would have gone had I been raised differently, but I do wonder about it.  

I’m skeptical that I’ll suddenly start believing in something I’ve never believed in. But people who grow up with values like family, faith, and community — and keep them — seem to be much better off. That’s something worth advocating for, and something I will support going forward. 

From a Jewish man:

Let me say this as a Jew: 

America would be a MUCH better country if more Christians went to Church. 

Charlie Kirk's vigil acting as a rally for Jesus is a net positive for society.

This crowd is God-fearing, neighbor-loving, and patriotic Americans. 

Another woman said this:

Just got out of church for the first time in 20 years. Prior to that I had been to church maybe 2 or 3 times. Here are my initial thoughts: 

-Church music makes me cry 

-Lessons taught in church are applicable to everyone and everything 

-I need to read an easier bible than KJV before I understand any of this well 

-Christians are kind, gracious, polite, and sane 

-America needs this now more than ever

I will share more once I’ve had time to digest this experience 

Another woman said this:

I remain Jesus-Curious, but I want to be real for a minute and say some things: 

- I was shocked by the music before it began, it was so beautiful. I didn't know that people looked like that when they sang along; like so connected to something. I cried a lot during the music and don't know why.  

- I knew that Charlie was a Christian, but I didn't know that he did all of this for Jesus. I knew he loved Jesus, but I thought more about his drive for social change and real leaders. I didn't know he like literally did it all for Jesus. 

- If

@bennyjohnson

was a pastor, I would go to that church every week.  

- I realize a big thing I am afraid of with it is having to change. I would have to change. What Erika said about the answer is love and always love... I'd have to change.

I don't know. But I do know that I came to social media to complain about the USDA and now I'm writing my feelings about Jesus on the internet. I have met so many amazing people here who believe in Jesus and I never expected that. 

From a British/Canadian man:

My dear American friends, 

We British Christians would get excited when, once a year, Queen Elizabeth would make a mild but sincere reference to the love of Jesus Christ in her Christmas address.  

In Charlie Kirks' Memorial service, watched by tens of millions, I just heard: 

 

- Multiple clear presentations of the gospel from men like

@robmccoyus and @DrFrankTurek with clear calls to repentance and faith

- Worship songs full of Scripture sung by tens of thousands live and millions at home

- Personal testimonies of lives transformed by the work of Christ and the witness of believers

- Demonstration and explanation of the value of marriage, child-rearing and family

- Calls to Romans 13 for the government to bear the sword for the protection of good and punishment of the wicked

- Declarations of spiritual warfare on the forces of evil and promises to endure no matter the cost

- Calls to be prophets and call the nation to repent

- More Scripture references and Bible readings than I can count

- And a widow publicly forgiving her husband's killer because Christ forgave his killers on the cross. 

 

All of it done before, and by, the most powerful people in your nation and the world. You guys should be on your knees thanking God for your country. It is a light to the world.

Never stop fighting for it. 

 

By far one of the best videos on social media right now.

Just wow. pic.twitter.com/XEdv8teofq

— Mr. Star Spangled MAGA (@4thOfJuly365) September 15, 2025