PITTSBURGH, Pa. — If you were searching for young people devastated by the brutal assassination of Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10, 2025, you would have been mistaken. Instead, they gathered in droves at The Sanctuary church, overwhelming Pastor Jason Howard with their presence during a Sunday service on Sept. 14.
Howard, in his forties, admitted he was surprised by the enthusiasm of younger congregants. “I was caught off guard by how deeply connected they were to Charlie’s influence,” he said. His assistant pastor, Cole Yocca, 22, responded swiftly, organizing a spontaneous prayer gathering in his backyard the day after the assassination.
The church’s response centered on boldness and faith. “We are going to be unashamed about the message of Jesus more than ever before,” Howard stated, highlighting the shift from previous years when Christianity was seen as countercultural. Now, he said, young people embrace their faith with passion and fearlessness.
The Sanctuary, a nondenominational church, has seen a surge in young attendees, including college students from the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University. Howard noted that this revival reflects a broader trend: young people rejecting ideologies opposing traditional values and seeking purpose through faith.
While some congregants disagreed with Charlie Kirk’s politics, all shared admiration for his unapologetic commitment to Christianity. “The one thing everyone agrees on is his boldness about his faith,” Howard said.
He described a cultural shift where openness about religion no longer invites backlash but instead sparks a movement of resilience and hope. “These kids have a light that pierces through the darkness,” he added.
