Don't Miss This: Erika Kirk's Inspiring Speech to Students at the University of Mississippi

 "You can't change a nation if you're enslaved to fear, you can't call out corruption if you're still chained to comfort, you can't stand for truth if you first do not kneel before the Lord." -Erika Kirk

(Oxford, MS) — [Breaking Christian News] Wednesday evening saw a "packed house" at the Pavilion on the campus of Ole Miss—the University of Mississippi. (Screengrab image: via Fox News)

The line of students waiting to enter the "This is The Turning Point" event was extensive even hours before the doors opened.

They came to hear Erika Kirk, as well as Vice President JD Vance, and neither disappointed, with heartfelt, sometimes poignant and stirring inspiration.

Erika wore a T-shirt like her husband Charlie wore on the day he was assassinated, one which simply said, "Freedom."

I encourage everyone to listen to her entire uplifting message, but here are some of the highlights: (Screengrab image: via Fox News)

"Comfort doesn't change the world. ... The enemy of truth doesn't need to destroy a nation overnight, he just needs to convince people that truth no longer matters. The enemy thrives when Christians DON'T speak up, when people DON'T vote, when students DON'T think for themselves..."

"The presence of a shadow is proof there is Light."

"The Lord is calling you to arise ... do not be afraid."

"You can't change a nation if you're enslaved to fear, you can't call out corruption if you're still chained to comfort, you can't stand for truth if you first do not kneel before the Lord."

"This generation will decide if America remembers who She is. ... We will not apologize for loving our country first, we will not be silent about our faith, we will not back down when the world tells us to kneel, because we bow only to the King of kings." (Screengrab image: via Fox News)

"I believe America can heal, but we can't save a country that we're too afraid to defend."

Toward the end of her speech, Erika shared about how it took a while before she was able to once again sleep in the bed she'd shared with Charlie after his murder, and how—when she finally did—she slept on his side of the bed. Waking up there, she realized that each morning Charlie had faced the sign she'd hung on the wall which read: "They will be known by the boldness of their faith." (Screengrab image: via Fox News)

She remembered that he would walk over to his desk each morning and read the three questions he had printed there:

1. What is something I can do for someone else today?

2. What is something I can do to add value to the world today?

3. How can I honor God today?

Erika concluded her address stressing the following important points, before introducing VP Vance:

"God has created you for greatness. The question isn't how long will I live but what am I going to do with the life God has given?"

"Be the courageous generation. Stand up for the truth, love life ... Love your family fearlessly. Love your spouse fearlessly. Love this country. Defend her and serve our God. And don't think that it's someone else's role to do it. YOU do it. You do it. Do it for Charlie."  

Click Here to watch Erika's entire message. 

(This article first appeared on Breaking Christian News)

ICYMI: the Charlie Kirk Memorial Service in AZ; a Remembrance Like No Other

 "None of us will ever forget Charlie Kirk. And neither, now, will history." -President Donald Trump

[Breaking Christian News] How do you sum up such a powerful day?

How do you convey the feeling of God's Holy Spirit moving on peoples' hearts, evidenced by the raw emotion displayed, and later by their testimonies shared online from all over the world? (Image: Breaking Christian News)

They came from states, and countries, amassing in Arizona, filling the State Farm Stadium to capacity with about 73,000, and approximately another 127,000 watching in overflow venues, according to sources, all to honor the life of Charlie Kirk.

Later, White House Communications Director, Steven Cheung shared TV images of the memorial service. Noting the coverage he said, "Every single network across America and many around the world are taking this revival live."

And, that word "revival" doesn't seem like hyperbole this time.

The assassination of that Christ-centered patriot on September 10th undoubtedly was a kind of catalyst, a wake-up call for the soul.

Charlie's extraordinary memorial service—pulled together seemingly miraculously in only about a week by the incredible, and still-grieving staff of Turning Point USA—began with Scripture-filled worship that permeated the entire arena. Among those leading were Kari Jobe, Chris Tomlin, Brandon Lake and others, as the voices of those in the stands joined with theirs, together, at times in a cappella. (Image: Breaking Christian News)

Next, a man whom Charlie considered his pastor, Rob McCoy, recounted some of what Charlie had done, pointing out how the members of TP USA had "pulled off the largest event in Turning Point history" in just six days. Then Pastor McCoy shared the Gospel and gave an invitation to stand if you'd never before believed in Jesus Christ or accepted His gift of salvation. All around the stadium people stood, as Believers applauded, recognizing those who had just become Christians.

Each speaker that followed shared a small slice of how they'd known Charlie Kirk, what he'd meant to them, and how they saw the work he'd begun, grow exponentially. One of his mentors, Christian author Frank Turek recounted the moments immediately after Charlie was shot, and how he and the Turning Point team jumped into action, rushing him to the hospital while trying to administer CPR in the vehicle.

He said, "I want you to know that we did everything we could to save Charlie, but Charlie was already gone," adding that "He was looking past me right into eternity and, if it's any comfort at all, I learned later that Charlie felt no pain."

Members of the current administration came up to the mic amid sparkler pyrotechnics and talked about Charlie and the impact of his work throughout college campuses in America and around the world.

Vice President JD Vance, very close to the Kirk family, called him a "hero to the United States of America," noting that he was a "martyr for the Christian faith." Secretary Hegseth pointed out what is evident to so many of us that "this is not a political war. It's not even a cultural war. It's a spiritual war: faith and family first."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio aptly and powerfully shared the Gospel once again, as he told of his friend's great faith, and Donald Trump Jr. spoke about Charlie's bravery in the midst of opposition and threats. (Screengrab image: via Newsmax)

But it was Erika Kirk, Charlie's widow, who provided perhaps the most powerful moments of the entire afternoon. Sharing personal and poignant times in her relationship with her husband, she reiterated the importance of family, calling on men first to "Be strong and courageous for your families. Love your wives and lead them. Love your children and protect them. Be the spiritual head of your home, but please be a leader worth following. She is your helper. You are not rivals. You are one flesh, working together for the glory of God."

Addressing wives, she said, "Be virtuous. We are the guardians, we are the encouragers, we are the preservers," and she asked women to lead their families with dignity and grace.

But then, sharing about how Charlie tried to live his Savior's call to love his enemies, and pray for those who persecute him, Erika paused, collecting herself. Then she told of how Jesus, while on the cross, asked His Father to "forgive them for they know not what they do." (Screengrab image: via Fox News)

Breathing a quick prayer, and holding back tears, Erika said, "My husband, Charlie, wanted to save young men just like the one who took his life ... That man, that young man ... I forgive him." Throughout the arena people stood and clapped, as Erika broke down for a moment, then said, "I forgive him because it's what Christ did and what Charlie would do."

Following Erika was President Donald Trump, who entered, showered by more pyrotechnics and Lee Greenwood singing "God Bless the USA." (Screengrab image: via Turning Point USA)

"None of us will ever forget Charlie Kirk," Trump said, "and neither, now, will history." He spoke of Charlie's impact throughout the world, adding that the "lesson of Charlie's life is that you should never underestimate what one person can do with a good heart, a righteous cause, a cheerful spirit and the will to 'Fight, Fight, Fight!'" The President praised Erika's strength in the days after her husband's death, and then at the end of his speech, he called Erika back on stage, giving her a heartfelt hug as "America the Beautiful" rang out in the stadium.

This surely was not like any other memorial service, and its impact—Charlie's impact—will no doubt be felt in the weeks and even years to come. (Screengrab image: via Turning Point USA)

From time to time, I know I will be revisiting the "Building a Legacy, Remembering Charlie Kirk" memorial service on video, to watch some of the moments that impacted me the most. I hope you will do the same. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Click Here to access the video from Turning Point USA.

(This article first appeared on Breaking Christian News)