Eight thousand people have attended Pastor Greg Laurie’s Hope for America outreach at Utah Valley University (UVU) where Charlie Kirk was assassinated more than two months ago.
Pastor Laurie declared his Harvest Crusade an “astounding success”, describing the crowd as “so open, worshipful and responsive to the Gospel.”
He said the Utah community had experienced unimaginable tragedy, and the message of hope found in Jesus Christ is exactly what they needed to hear.
“Many came to Christ and our prayers were answered powerfully,” he added.
It’s estimated 2,100 or more than a quarter of the crowd answered the altar call.
HOW HARVEST CRUSADES FAST-TRACKED THIS OUTREACH
CBN News reported that Greg Laurie regularly hosts large-scale evangelistic events and had planned to host a Harvest Crusade at UVU in 2027.
However, Charlie Kirk’s killing changed everything.
Pastor Laurie and his team reached out to the university to see if they could bring the outreach forward after Christians in the community expressed a pressing need for the Gospel at this time.
“They said: Yes, come now. We need you now,” Greg Laurie told CBN News.
GOSPEL EVENT ORGANISED IN JUST SIX WEEKS
“We did something we’ve never done before. We accelerated the timeline.”
“Normally it would take us six months to a year, sometimes even longer, to get a Crusade ready.”
It took only six weeks to put together with the support of around 100 local churches and up to 1,000 volunteers.
“OUT OF TRAGEDY, GOD CAN BRING REVIVAL”
Pastor Laurie told Fox News he then became even more intentional about sharing the Gospel on the campus.
He stressed that: “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.”
Organisers said they not only wanted to honour Charlie Kirk, but to share the hope he had which came from a relationship with Jesus Christ.
EXTENSIVE SECURITY MEASURES IN PLACE
Security was evident every few metres around the arena, with officers facing away from the stage, carefully eying every movement made in the bleachers.
Uniformed police patrolled the hallways. Several guards stood close by the stairs to the stage.
The Hope for America event opened with a video tribute honouring Charlie Kirk’s life, faith, and legacy.
“He really had the ear of the younger generation,” Pastor Laurie pointed out in the tribute.
“He talked about political issues and what is going on in the country, but he was very up front about his faith.”
“CHARLIE KIRK IS A BIG PART OF THE REASON WE’RE HERE”
Greg Laurie’s son, Jonathan, welcomed the crowd.
“This is a very special night. We want to talk about hope for America,” he announced.
“Charlie Kirk was an amazing young man. He’s a big part of the reason we’re here tonight.”
“Sixty-seven days ago, tragedy struck just feet from where we are now.”
“CHARLIE TOOK HIS FIRST BREATH IN HEAVEN BECAUSE OF WHAT CHRIST DID FOR HIM”
“I believe even before Charlie knew what happened, he was in the arms of his Saviour, and he heard Him say: Well done, good and faithful servant.”
His father agreed.
He told the crowd: “Our friend Charlie Kirk was tragically killed, but when he took his last breath on earth, he took his first breath in Heaven.”
“Not because of what he did, but because of what Christ did for him.”
“WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IS FOUND IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THROUGH HIS SON”
The crowd took part in worship led by award-winning artists Chris Tomlin and Phil Wickham.
Pastor Greg Laurie’s message was clear and simple: “God loves you.”
“What you are looking for, right now, is not going to be found in a phone.”
“It is not going to be found in an object. It’s not even found in religion.”
“It is found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ,” he told the crowd.
“GOD HAS A PLAN FOR THOSE WHO ARE LONELY AND EMPTY”
He then explained that God is a loving father and referenced the story of the prodigal son found in Luke 15.
“God is like a father who loves us,” he shared.
“He is like a father who loves us that when we go away from Him, He misses us and longs for our return.”
He continued, “God has a plan for you. And I am talking to somebody right now who is lonely, who is empty.”
“DON’T ENTERTAIN SUICIDAL THOUGHTS FOR ANOTHER DAY”
“I am talking to somebody right now who has contemplated suicide. I am even talking to someone who has attempted suicide.”
“And I want you to know that God loves you and He has a plan for you.
Don’t entertain that thought another day.”
“REFLECT ON WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY”
Pastor Laurie then asked the crowd to reflect on where they would spend eternity.
“He shed His blood on the cross, so you can be forgiven of your sin,” he added.
“Charlie’s death is a horrible tragedy, yet despite this tragedy God has done amazing things around our nation.”
“It was like a wake-up call for all of us.”
“THIS IS YOUR WAKE-UP CALL”
He cited a Wall Street Journal report that found in the weeks following Kirk’s assassination, Bible sales jumped 36%.
Pastor Laurie also noted that church attendance increased.
“This is your moment tonight, this is your wake-up call,” he declared.
That message moved hundreds. People flocked to the altars for prayer.
“EVERYTHING IS GETTING READY TO CHANGE FOR YOU”
Each person who responded to the altar call received a New Believers Bible, which includes study notes by Greg Laurie, who had given four instructions to those who responded.
“You need to go to church. Read your Bible every day. Keep praying. Share your faith with others.”
“God is at work,” Greg Laurie commented as people moved forward.
“Everything is getting ready to change for you.”
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