Pastor Greg Laurie will host a one-night evangelistic crusade, "Hope for America," at Utah Valley University—the campus where Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on Sept. 10. The sold-out event, expected to draw about 10,000, was organized in six weeks and will be streamed free online. Laurie said the rally is intended to bring spiritual support and healing to a grieving community; worship leaders Chris Tomlin and Phil Wickham will lead music.
Greg Laurie to Hold 'Hope for America' Rally at Utah Valley University After Charlie Kirk’s Death
Pastor Greg Laurie will host a one-night evangelistic crusade, "Hope for America," at Utah Valley University—the campus where Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on Sept. 10. The sold-out event, expected to draw about 10,000, was organized in six weeks and will be streamed free online. Laurie said the rally is intended to bring spiritual support and healing to a grieving community; worship leaders Chris Tomlin and Phil Wickham will lead music.
03:02 AM, 11/17/2025Society
Pastor Greg Laurie to Lead 'Hope for America' Crusade at Utah Campus
Pastor Greg Laurie, founder of Harvest Crusades and senior pastor of Harvest Church in Southern California, will lead a one-night evangelistic event titled "Hope for America" at Utah Valley University on Sunday at 6 p.m. MT. The gathering—expected to draw roughly 10,000 people—has sold out, and Harvest Crusades will provide a free live stream for those who cannot attend in person.
Planned as a Response to Tragedy
Laurie said the decision to hold the event on the same campus where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on Sept. 10 was intentional and pastoral: to bring spiritual support, healing and a message of hope to a grieving community. Organizers put the program together in just six weeks, a notably faster timeline than the usual yearlong planning cycle.
"This community has experienced unimaginable tragedy, and we believe the message of hope found in Jesus Christ is exactly what’s needed right now," Laurie told Fox News Digital. "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."
Signs of Renewed Spiritual Interest
The event follows reports of increased interest in religious material and worship since Kirk's death: one analysis cited by The Wall Street Journal found a 36% jump in Bible sales after an earlier reported 22% increase in 2024, and some local faith leaders have reported higher attendance at services. Laurie says he has noticed greater "openness to spiritual things" among young adults, whom he describes as searching for "truth, authenticity and hope that lasts."
Worship and Witness
Christian artists Chris Tomlin and Phil Wickham—both of whom performed at Kirk’s funeral—are scheduled to lead worship. Laurie framed the crusade as both a response to the campus tragedy and a call to live a bold, faith-filled life.
Laurie added: "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." The crusade aims to offer spiritual comfort, encourage community healing, and inspire renewed commitment among attendees.
Watch: The event will be streamed live for free; tickets for on-site attendance are sold out.