The Power of Forgiveness

By Carolyn Aijian

Sep 27, 2025

Millions Say Good-Bye to Charlie Kirk

On Sunday, 21 September 2025, Paul and I attended the single most watched memorial service in history. The memorial service for Charlie Kirk. We did not imagine it would have become such a phenomenon. We also did not know that it would be a message of the need for forgiveness, and the need to know the love of Jesus.

We were among the 200,000 persons attempting to attend live. With only 70,000 regular seats in State Farm Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona, it was quite the effort. Fortunately, we were given VIP tickets and were able to get into the Stadium; the Secret Service had vetted us before the event, and an entrance was set aside for us. We were grateful.

The traffic and parking issues were a nightmare, and we overestimated the police department’s ability to cope with crowds. Since they had managed the Superbowl, we figured it would be manageable. We were wrong. The streets were a parking lot, and the estimate of 100,000 persons turned away looked absolutely accurate in person. There were streams of folks, wearing red, white, or blue walking towards the stadium, and nearly as many walking away in defeat.

We never made it to the VIP parking lot. We spied a grass field opening up for parking as we were passing and decided that “a bird in the hand was better than two birds in a bush.” We quickly turned and parked. We were happy to walk a bit after hours of sitting, even if it was about 90 degrees.

Carolyn Aijian, Dr. Aijian, and Charlie Kirk in Santa Barbara. March 1, 2023

We waited in the VIP line, showed our credentials and the QR code that was emailed that morning and entered the air-conditioned stadium. The staff was gracious and kind. We were allowed no bag, no food, no water. Just credit cards, cash, or cell phone. I did get a battery charger in with me, for which I was later grateful. We passed the line for food and water, and it was hundreds and hundreds of people long. Our seatmate did wait in the line, and he waited three hours! We decided to fast for the day, having nothing to eat or drink from 8am to 5pm. We didn’t even notice. We were in, we were seated on the floor of the arena with press and other folks. It was amazing. We ran into several friends and sat together for the day.

Yesterday it was reported that 100 million people were livestreaming the event, and it was reported that double that had watched since, and from all over the world. The question that must be asked is, “Why?”

Charlie Kirk Was a Determined Young Man

He was driven to organize and enlighten youth when he was only in the 5^th grade. He was passionate and started to organize while still too young to drive a car or vote. Turning Point USA was formed, and he began trying to wake up college students to understand their power to vote and change the country. He succeeded beyond my wildest dreams, but not his wildest dreams. Charlie knew what he wanted to build, and he went about it with drive and careful planning. He decided to forgo traditional education, and studied independently, studying classical literature, and taking Hillsdale courses as well. He learned to debate and loved talking to students who had other opinions. He was famous for giving opposing views a spot at the head of the line, where students were given a microphone and the courtesy of platform to debate their ideas with Charlie.

One student decided that Charlie needed to be silenced, and so, shot and killed him on September 10^th. That debate ended, but the legacy began. The word spread like wildfire, and soon, everyone was talking about it. Turning Point (TP USA) sprang into action and named Erika Kirk as its new CEO of the organization. She is a brilliant, well-read, and accomplished woman in her own right. Charlie had interviewed her when they first met, as a possible employee who might help lead the organization. He decided that rather than hire her, he wanted to date, then marry her.

An Exceptional Lineup of Performers and Speakers

TP USA began planning the memorial service, and the service they created was an extraordinary lineup. They began with a two-hour worship service led by the country’s finest Christian singers, The artists included Brandon Lake, Chris Tomlin, Phil Wickham, Kari Jobe Carnes, Cody Carnes, Steve Amerson and Lee Greenwood. Each of these would have been an individual powerhouse of praise and worship, but together it was like a piece of heaven for believers in need of comfort.

We were treated to an additional lineup of the most powerful persons leading our country at this time. Pastor Rob McCoy, emeritus pastor of Godspeak (church in Thousand Oaks) led the lineup. Charlie called him his pastor and “America’s Pastor.” Following Rob, we were treated to messages by Stacy Scharringhausen (TP USA administration), Anna Paulina Luna – US Representative (R-FL), Sergio Gor – Executive Director TP USA, Frank Turek – Christian Apologist, author and mentor, Dr. Larry Arnn – President, Hillsdale College, Andrew Kolvet, Executive Producer of The Charlie Kirk Show (and a SB local), Mikey McCoy – Chief of Staff at TPUSA (wife is a local of SB), Benny Johnson – The Benny Show, Ben Carson – Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Tulsi Gabbard – Director of National Intelligence, Marco Rubio – Secretary of State, Pete Hegseth – Secretary of War, Robert F. Kennedy Jr – Secretary of Health and Human Services, Steven Miller – White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, Susie Wiles – White House Chief of Staff, Tucker Carlson – TCN host, Donald Trump JR – Executive President , The Trump Organization, Vice President JD Vance – Vice President of the US, Erika Kirk – CEO and Chair of the Board. TP USA, and President Donald J. Trump – President of the United States.

Who on earth could have drawn this lineup of speakers?

Charlie could.

The Most Touching Moment

He had such a dynamic way about him: goofy, intellectual, driven, brilliant, and a memory that we all wish we had. He absorbed facts and information at a rate unparalleled. In a world where we refer to our cell phones for our information and notes, he took on debaters with nothing in his hand. He absolutely knew his material. He texted a wide range of people (including President Trump, JD Vance, Pete Hegseth, etc.), discussed policy with them, became a person with whom they could share ideas and bounce thoughts. He seemed to be the best friend of each. Most of them gave Charlie credit for spiritual growth, and many also shared a clear message of the gospel to the nation. They spoke of the love of Jesus, and the need to follow Him. It was a pattern that emerged, of love of Jesus, love of debate, and love of country.

The most remarkable moment of all, however, was when Erika Kirk spoke to the nation regarding the alleged shooter. She said, “that man, that young man, I forgive him.” It took every bit of strength and grace in her to say those words. As a follower of Jesus, she was taught to forgive because, “Vengeance is mine, saith the LORD.” She did as Jesus taught; she forgave the man who made her a widow and made her children fatherless.

Even Elon Musk was touched by Erika’s statement of forgiveness. He was seen in the box with President Trump. They looked very friendly together. After the memorial, Elon texted on X “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” That is a quote from Jesus Himself, who was teaching his followers how to pray, in Matthew 6:12. It seems we are learning from this grieving widow, how to continue to live and breathe after such a terrible loss.

Today, on Prager U, Dennis Prager quoted a timberman who said, aptly, “You never know the height of a tree until it is fallen.” I believe this is very true in this situation. He will be terribly missed, but we have just begun to hear from Erika. I believe there has been an awakening, a revival. As Joseph says in Genesis 50:20, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

The Power of Forgiveness

By Carolyn Aijian

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