Church leaders across the country are reporting a significant uptick in attendance in the wake of the September 10 assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, whose public embrace of Christianity was a central element of his message during visits to college campuses with Turning Point USA.
At Convo Church in Reno, Nevada, this weekend, the increase was particularly striking. Lead Pastor Craig Dyson, a personal friend of Kirk’s, described the turnout as “unlike anything we’ve seen,” according to reporting from the National Desk.
He added that the weekend’s services were marked by an extraordinary response from attendees. “We had more people give their life to Christ yesterday than we’ve ever had on a single Sunday, and it was absolutely incredible to watch,” Dyson said, highlighting the profound impact the tragedy had on the local faith community.
This surge in attendance reflects a broader pattern observed in some churches following high-profile events, where communal mourning and reflection can drive people toward religious engagement. In Kirk’s case, his vocal commitment to Christianity appears to have resonated deeply, inspiring both longtime followers and new visitors to seek solace and connection through their faith.
Matt Zerrusen, co-founder of Newman Ministry, which operates on approximately 250 college campuses, also observed the same pattern of increased religious engagement, according to the Catholic News Agency.
Speaking with local affiliates, Zerrusen noted, “Every one of them told me they’ve seen bigger crowds” at Masses, often including attendees they had never seen before. “I have not talked to anyone who has not seen an increase in Mass attendance,” he added, citing some schools reporting growth of up to 15 percent.
Zerrusen suggested that the violent circumstances surrounding Kirk’s assassination have prompted young people to reflect on profound moral and spiritual questions. “So many people are asking, ‘What do I do? What is evil? How does God allow this?’” he said. “They are asking so many basic questions,” highlighting a renewed search for guidance and meaning among students in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Ryan Visconti, lead pastor at Generation Church in Mesa, Arizona, observed that Charlie Kirk’s beliefs have received unprecedented exposure in the wake of his assassination.
“And I think people are going to look at what Charlie believed in a new light and probably explore that for themselves, and so I think he will continue to have a lasting impact for many, many years to come, especially with the younger generation,” Visconti told Fox News.
He added that Kirk’s willingness to stand—and ultimately die—for his convictions has resonated particularly with young people. “I believe that especially the younger generation who listened to Charlie and who at least appreciated his ability to engage people in conversation, those people see that he was willing to die for his beliefs, and I think that piques people’s interest, and it causes them to want to know what convinced him that this was true? What made him so passionate?” Visconti said, highlighting the profound influence of Kirk’s faith and principles on a new generation of Americans.
Visconti emphasized that Kirk’s death resonated deeply with Christians, describing it as a profoundly spiritual and emotional experience. “There was a connection there spiritually that a fellow brother in Christ, a Christian, was murdered brutally and graphically,” he said.
He went on to describe the traumatic impact of witnessing the violent footage. “And how graphic his death was, it was traumatic. And so, really, all of us who saw those terrible videos are witnesses to murder. And that really hurts on a deep level, and it scars your soul,” Visconti explained.
For those searching for guidance and solace, Visconti suggested looking to the source of Kirk’s own strength and purpose. “What I would encourage people to do is, you need to know the hope and the comfort that comes from Jesus. That’s where Charlie found hope, and that’s where he got his strength from. And that’s what he would want other people who are hurting to turn to in a time like this,” he said, offering a message of faith and resilience in the aftermath of tragedy.
