The Charlie Kirk assassination on Wednesday stunned the nation and catapulted conservative commentators and national news outlets into live coverage of what was unfolding in Utah.
Pastor Travis Johnson, of Pathway Church in Mobile, went live on social media following the shooting to pray for Kirk, to discuss the inconceivable crime and explain how Kirk's faith made him a target. As details trickled in, Johnson spoke about the vital role of Christians at this time.
Johnson said Kirk's death was not a political assassination, but an attack on the Christian faith. Johnson told 1819 News that Charlie Kirk represents all Christians and all Christians represent Charlie Kirk. Johnson said fear is a natural reaction, but he said the Bible holds the answers.
"Every one of us deals with fear and anxiety, and Scripture has very clear directions for that," Johnson explained. "The Bible says to be strong and courageous. There is never a moment where we will find ourselves where we're not without fear, but we don't need to shrink back."
"When we are strong and courageous, then our strength is found in the Lord," he continued. "Nowhere do I see anywhere in Scripture where we are told to be confident. We do see confidence, but our confidence is in the Lord. We are called to be courageous. Courage happens in the presence of fear. There is no courage if there isn't fear."
"This is the thing that Christians do in the face of fear – in the face of difficulty," he said. "We still love the Lord."
Johnson said Christians must remember that God is stronger than the enemy and evil, wicked and demonic ideology.
"He's mighty," Johnson said. "So, we put our trust in Him. Going to church is what we do. Following Christ is what we do, and so in the face of evil, we stand and we look to the Lord for help."
Christians have a unique opportunity at this time, Johnson said, to share Jesus Christ with others. The pastor, who has stood beside President Donald Trump on the national stage, shared his perspective on Kirk's final moments on earth and his initial moments in Heaven.
"The Bible says to be absent from the body is to be present with Jesus," Johnson said. "He saw the glory of Jesus Christ. There was no suffering. He stepped immediately into the presence of God."
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