Pastor Greg Laurie Hosts ‘Hope for America’ Event at Utah University Following Tragic Shooting

Pastor Greg Laurie Hosts ‘Hope for America’ Event at Utah University Following Tragic Shooting

A pivotal Christian evangelism event, anticipated to attract around 10,000 attendees, is set to occur this Sunday at Utah Valley University, the site of a recent tragedy involving conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kirk was fatally shot two months ago while leading a campus tour for Turning Point USA.

Pastor Greg Laurie, who leads Harvest Church in Southern California and founded Harvest Crusades, will guide the one-day event titled ‘Hope for America.’ Scheduled for 6 p.m. Mountain Time, the event is already sold out; however, it will be available for free live streaming online.

Laurie intentionally chose to host the revival at the same location where the community faced unimaginable sorrow. He emphasizes the need for a hopeful message amid the darkness surrounding recent events.

Laurie expressed, ‘This community has experienced unimaginable tragedy, and we believe the message of hope found in Jesus Christ is exactly what’s needed right now. Out of tragedy, God can bring healing, unity, and revival. Our prayer is that this event will remind people that evil does not have the last word; Christ does.’

For over 35 years, Harvest Church has reached millions through its extensive evangelism initiatives. Laurie mentioned that efforts to coordinate this event with local churches in Salt Lake City began two years prior. However, the urgency for the event increased following Kirk’s tragic death.

Recalling the moment he learned of Kirk’s assassination, Laurie stated, ‘When we heard of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, we immediately reached out to pastors in Utah to ask how we could support them. They said, ‘Come sooner. Our community is hurting.’’

This remarkable event was planned in just six weeks, a stark contrast to the usual preparation period of a year. Laurie’s team responded swiftly to the community’s needs, recognizing the pressing requirement for hope and healing.

According to Laurie, there is currently a noted increase in interest in spiritual matters among young adults. Many are feeling disillusioned by secular society and are actively seeking deeper truths.

‘They’re looking for truth, authenticity, and hope that lasts,’ he remarked. ‘At Harvest, we’re witnessing an unprecedented response from students, young adults, and entire families as they embrace the gospel.’

In the aftermath of Kirk’s death, significant changes have been observed in the community’s spiritual landscape. Reports indicate a notable surge in Bible sales and church attendance across the country.

Laurie hopes that the upcoming event will contribute to what he envisions as a spiritual awakening sweeping across the nation. He encourages Christians to be inspired and continue Kirk’s legacy of courageous faith.

Quoting missionary Jim Elliot, who was martyred in 1956 while evangelizing, Laurie noted, ‘I seek not a long life, but a full one, like you, Lord Jesus.’ He believes that Kirk’s life exemplifies this full life.

Reflecting on Kirk’s powerful faith, Laurie shared one of his memorable statements: ‘[Kirk] once said, ‘I’m nothing without Jesus. I’m a sinner. I fall incredibly short of the glory of God. We all do. I gave my life to the Lord… and everything I do incorporates Jesus Christ. I want to be remembered for courage for my faith. The most important thing is my faith.”

Laurie affirms that this sentiment should resonate with Christians today, particularly the youth, urging them to embrace a bold faith in their daily lives.

Musicians Chris Tomlin and Phil Wickham are set to lead worship during the Sunday evening event. Both have previously performed at Kirk’s funeral, reinforcing the connection between the event and the legacy of the late activist.

Expressing his vision for the night, Laurie stated, ‘We’re going to go to that place of darkness, and we’re going to turn on the radiant light of Jesus Christ and proclaim the gospel that Charlie believed. What was meant for evil will be turned to good.’

This gathering promises to be a significant moment for the community, as it seeks to heal from recent tragedies while celebrating the faith and courage exemplified by Kirk. Through messages of hope and unity, Pastor Greg Laurie aims to inspire attendees to carry forward the legacy of love and fearless faith in challenging times.